Official 
minutes of the 

lst-7th 
reunion of the 

Briggs 
association ... 



CS 71 
.B854 
1909 
ed. 1-7 
Copy 1 




BRIGGS HOUSE, OCTOBER, 1909 



a^, 



Some Notes, Hi^orical and 
Genealogical, read at the first 
reunion of the "Briggs Fam- 
ily," held at Barnard, Ver- 
mont, September 1 , 1 909, by 
Seth Dean of Glenwood, la. 



GIFT 

ASSOCIATION 



\ 



^^^^^^^^ NOTES ^^^^^^^^ 

It is generally conceded by every one that there is a purpose in 
our journeys and undertakings in this world and I am sure that eacli 
one of us had a purpose in coming to this place at this time, and I 
assume that it was with the intention of forming new acquaintance 
or renewing old friendships, and adding to our store of family know- 
ledge that prompted all of us to make pilgrimage to the former home 
of our ancestors, The Barnard family of Briggs. 

It is witli this thought in my mind that I liave collected tlie fol- 
lowing notes, as a basis for further study and reminiscent relation of 
those present, many of whom, no doubt, are far better qualified for 
tliis work than the writer. And in the getting together of these 
notes, I have tried to secure accuracy as to dates and facts— but I 
presume some errors exist. Tliese can be corrected by those who are 
in possession of tlie proper information, it being my thouglit that 
this paper might furnish a foundation, perliaps, for a more complete 
record to be written up by competent hands for some future occasion 
of this kind. 

It is but just at this time that I acknowledge my indebtedness 
to the Geneological liistory of the family prepared by Asa B. and B. 
W. Briggs, afid to Mrs. W. C. Danforth, Custodian of tlie Barnard 
town records, and to otliers for information furnished. 

My subject very properly divides itself into two sections. First, 
a history of the farm, and ther^ewith its share in tlie Common Civil 
and Political history of the town, and second, the history, largely bi- 
ographical, of some of its several owners, but more particularly the 
Briggs family. No doubt some will feel the greater interest in the 
farm, while others will enjoy hearing or relating anecdotes or inci- 
dents in personal history. As I am not well informed on many of the 
events, I will simply outline most of the matter, leaving it to otli- 
ers to supply the details or missing links of fact. 

The Briggs farm is a part of what, in colonial times, was known 
as the New Hampshire Grants. This territory being claimed under 
conflicting European grants by both New Hampshire and New York 
for several years, and each.trying to some extent to exercise a sort of 
government over it. 

The tract of territory comprising the present town (or township 
as it would be called in the Western states) was granted or chartered 
by Governor Wentworth of New Hampshire to William Story, Franc- 
is Barnard or Bernard, and 73 others, probably most, if not all, of 
them residents of Hardwich, Mass. , July 17, 1761: and so far as I 
have been able to learn does not seem to have been covered by any of 
the New York grants, although New York included it within what 



she established in 1765 as Cumberland County, later on, viz., 1781. 
The state was redistricted by the legislature of A^ermont, and the 
town became a part of Windsor County where it has since remained. 

It is probable that the grant to Barnard and liis associates was 
in some way contirmed or at least recognized by the Governor of New 
York. 

Windsor County was incorporated in February, 1781, ten years 
before Vermont was admitted into the union as a state, viz., Febru- 
ary 18, 1791. 

The territory comprising the Barnard grant was surveyed proba- 
bly about 17(32 and contained about 29,360 acres. It was laid out in 
fairly regular oblong tracts of about 100 acres each, and numbered 
consecutively as lots from 1 to 300, and was organized as a town, Ap- 
ril 4, 1778, with Thos. W. White the first clerk, and Thomas Free- 
man, Asa Whitcomb and Solomon Aiken the selectmen. 

Asa Whitcomb was the first Representative and the first Justice 
of the Peace, and was also one of the framers of the State Constitu- 
tion. It is for reasons that will be apparent further on in these 
notes that I refer so particularly to the above parties at this time. 

The tract that eventually became the Briggs farm was lots 189 
and 190, the lots adjoining eacli other and both having been drawn 
by James Hallowell in the allotment of shares in the grant; but it 
does not appear, so far as I can learn, that he ever lived on the farm, 
and possibly never saw the prize that he drew in the game. 

The next owner that appears on the Barnard records is Philip 
Jurden of Ilardwich, Mass. It does not appear when he bought, or 
how long he kept, the farm, but on June 4, 1779 he deeds lot 189 and 
the north Y^ of lot 190, being about 150 acres, to Ephraim Briggs of 
Af?hford in the stat-e of Connecticut, the consideration being 225 
pounds lawful money. It would seem that possibly there was some 
defect in the title prior to this time, for we find that on June 10, 
1790, Mr. Briggs secured from Wm. Sweetser, the town tax collector, 
for 4 ix)unds and 4 shillings and costs, a tax deed to the farm, and 
recited tlierein that this deed conveys all rights that the original 
proprietors may have had in the land at that time. 

The farm seems to liave been the home of Ephraim Briggs until 
July 10, 1790, when he sold it to his sons Asa B. and Benjamin 
Briggs, the consideration being $1,500; and on October 26, 1805, Asa 
sold his half interest to Benjamin for $750. The land remained in 
the name of Benjamin Briggs and as his home from this date until 
February, 17, 1836— or for 34. years— when he sold the farm consisting 
of lots 189 and 190, and 35 acres additional he had previously bought, 



to George W. Dana of Woodstock for $1,500. With this sale the land 
passed from the Briggs family, apparently permanently; and for 
some time after this the farm seemed to be trading stock and passed 
through a number of parties within a few years. I note that Geo. 
W. Dana sold to Elisha L. Sabin of Woodstock, Nov. 11, 1836, who in 
turn sold it to Ira Page. It next went through foreclosure proceed- 
ings in court, and on June 20, 1840. Mr. Sabin deeded it to Simeon 
Warren. Beyond this point I liave not traced the chain of title. 

Tlie first house that was built on the farm was a log cabin 
erected by Capt. Ephraim Briggs, probably in the fall of 1779. This 
was located a few rods soutli and a little east of the present house 
and served its purpose as a dwelling for several years. 

The present liouse was built about the year 1796 and is now 
about 113 years old, and in its general arrarrgement is much as it 
must liave appeared when it passed out of tlie Briggs family. If the 
old house could speak to us today, what a story it could tell of joy 
and sorrow, of sunshine and shadow. It would tell of the children 
that liave been born within its walls, tlie marriages that have oc- 
curred, and of the visits of the Grim Reaper for some of its inmates. 

Of the Briggs family, the following children have been born on 
the farm : 

To Ephraim Briggs and wife Rhoda Whitcomb Briggs— 

Benjamin Briggs, born July 6, 1780. 

Ephraim Dean Briggs, Dec. 21, 1782. 

Asa Barnard Briggs, Jan. 18, 1785. 

Joanna, March 13, 1787. 

Rhoda, Nov. 17, 1793. 

To Benjamin Briggs and Susannah Ciowell Biiggs - 

Elijah, born Sept. 24, 1810. 

Aliphal, Oct. 9, 1812. 

Benjamin Crowell, Jan. 11, 1815. 

Alexander, Feb. 5, 1818, 

Susan, y\pril 11, 1822. 

Eliza Jane, Oct. 2, 1828. 

Of the above named persons I believe the following were married 
here, viz. : 

Joanna to Lemuel Riclimond, Feb. 24, 1805. 

.Rhoda to John Caryl. 

Aliphal to Daniel Waite, Jan. 29, 1833. 

I believe Captain Briggs died liere Aug. 10, 1829, and so far as 
my notes show no other member of the Briggs family has met death 
liere. 

Now a few brief words about the personality of some members of 
the Briggs family. Originally of English descent, Ephraim Briggs, 
the head of the Vermont branch of the family, was born at Taunton, 



Mass., June 30, 175G. He was evidently an ardent patriot in Colo- 
nial times, as we tind him enrolled as a member of Capt. Ezekiel 
Knowlton's company of Col. Nathan Sparhaw's regiment of Massa- 
chusetts militia at the battle of Lexington, April 19, 1775, when he 
was not yet 19 years old ; and later he appears to have been a ser- 
geant in Capt. Eben Dean's company of Taunton, Mass. He evi- 
dently must have been at or in the neighborhood of Bunker Hill 
when that battle was fought. He served in the Continental army 
for three years, commencing, as we have seen, with the opening of 
hostilities at Lexington, and ending some time in 1778 or 1779. The 
campaign of 1777 that ended with the capitulation of Burgoyne near 
Saratoga, N. Y. , took most of the Massachusetts troops to the west- 
ern part of the state, some of them being engaged in the battle of 
Bennington, Vt. Whether Ephraim Briggs was in this campaign or 
not, I do not certainly know, but I presume that he was, as he 
seems to have been at Hardwich about this time, and in .June, 1779, 
his home was recorded as Ashford, Conn. It is probable that while 
with the army near Hardwich he became acquainted with Rhodi 
Whitcomb, his future wife, and it is possible that he may have 
known the family pieviously. Consider for a moment what it must 
have meant to a young soldier a hundred miles or more from home 
to be permitted to call at the home of one of the wealthy and lead- 
ing families of the town, the head of the family having at this time 
urnnariied daughters of an inteiesting age, and also luiving recently 
acquired several hundred acres of choice Vermont lands that only 
waited for energetic young men to take possession and develop her 
stores of wealth. Do you wonder that this son of Mars who did not 
fear King George's men, capitulated unconditionally before such 
forc^s as thatV It is the same old story repeating itseU'; it is older 
than history and will continue to the end of time. 

Barnard records say that Ephraim Briggs and Rhoda Whitcomb 
were married in Barnard March 19, 1780, by Asa Whitcoml) Justice 
of the Peace. Evidently in this case the father not only gave away 
the bride, but also took a very important part in the transfer of that 
much personality. 

Ephraim Briggs took a very active part in the affairs of the town 
and neighborhood, and on the breaking out of the war of 1812 com- 
manded a company of A^ermont troops in the Plattsburg campaign. 

C:ipt. Briggs died August 10, 1829, at 73 years; his wife, Rhoda, 
died at Pierpont, N. Y., September 3, 1844, aged 84 years. 

BENJAMIN BRIGGS— The oldest son of Capt. Briggs, married 
Susannah Crowell at Barnard November 30, 1809. They lived on the 
old farm until May, 183(i, when he with his entiie family (excepting 
his daughter Aliphal, then married) emigrated to Noi'wich, Iluion 
Co., ()., and took his share of the hardship of clearing a farm and 
making a liome in the then far West. His life does not seem to have 
been different from that of most other settlers in the localities where 
he lived. He died at Norwich August 31, 1842. His wife, Susan- 
nah, died at Norwich January 13, 1875. 

EPHRAIM DEAN BRIGGS settled in Rochester, Yt. He mar- 
ried Eliza Hodgkins of Rochester October 4, 1810. He was a very 
successful business man and financier, and held many positions of 
trust and influence in his town, at one time being one of the Judges 



of Windsor County. He died at Rochester July 26, 1868. His wife 
died May 1, 1867.' 

ASA BARNARD BRIGGS, as we have seen above, sold his in- 
terest in the Barnard farm in 1805. He married at Barnard Jane 
Winslow, September 2, 1809, and moved to Pierpont, N. Y. , in Feb- 
ruary, 1820. This was his home ever afterward. He took an active 
partin public affairs, served as a soldier for a time in the war of 
1812, and for several years was Inspetcor of Public Schools at Pier- 
pont. lie died September 5, 1863. His wife, Jane, died May 10, 1870. 

JOANNA BRIGGS was married at Barnard February 25, 1805, 
to Major Lemuel Richmond of that place. Her life, so far as I know, 
was spent in Barnard, and her death occurred there October 16, 1867. 
Her husband died at Barnard April 16, 1864. 

RHODA BRIGGS married John Caryl of Chester, Vt. She died 
at Stockbiidge, Vt. Her husband died at Plainwell, 

Mich., May 30, 1882. 

Of the second generation that was born on the farm— the chil- 
dren of Benjamin and Susannah Crowell Brlggs — I have the follow- 
ing notes: 

ELIJAH— Settled in Attica, Ind. He married Helen M. Rrow- 
nell October 1, 1839. Elijah died January 31, 1853. His wife, Helen, 
died December 15, 1862. 

A LI PH A L— Married Daniel Waite, a native of Fishertield, N. 
H., at Barnard January 29, 18.33. They removed at once to Stowe, 
\t., their permanent home. Aliphal died at Stowe June 16, 1888. 
Her husband died January 10, 1889. 

ftENJAMIN CROWELL— Married Clarissa Brown at Norwich, 
O, November 4, 1838. They lived on a farm in Norwich until Octo- 
ber, 1873, when they went to Seneca. Kan. Here his wife died, and 
soon after Benjamin went to Topeka, Kan., where he died March 12, 
1895. .. 

ALEXANDER-Married Rosella M. Doten at Norwich, O., No- 
vembers, 1846; she died February 3, 1848. Alexander married, sec- 
ond, Phoebe A. Curtis, November 15, 185.3, at Ithica, N. Y. ; she 
died September 15, 1891. Alexander lived the life of a farmer from 
183!) until 1881, when he moved to Norwalk, O. , and later to Roches- 
ter, Vt , where he died April 5, 1908. 

SUSAN— Was married to William E. Dean of Barnard, A't. , at 
Norwich, O. , August 15, 1849. They at once removed to Lyons 
Township, Mills Co., la., residing on a farm there. Susan died 
March 31, 1872. 

ELIZA JANE-Resided in Norwich, O. . from 1836 until her 
marriage to William E. Dean of Lyons, Mills Co., la., Nov. 4, 1875. 
She died there Dec. 26, 1892. William E. Dean died March 27, 1894. 

Having outlined in a very brief way some of the notes connected 
with the Briggs family during the time they were residents of Bar- 
nard, ir seems proper that this account should be closed with their 
removal from the town. It is needless to say that the descendants 
of Ephraim Briggs are scattered far and wide and at the present 
time are in many different States, and one at least is in the Govern- 
ment service in the Phillipine Islands. An enumeration of the chil- 
dren, grandchildren and great-grandchildren of Benjamin Briggs 
alone, seems to show about 89, of v\liom 62 are now living. 



Notes of the First Reunion 

Of the Descendants of Capt. Ephraim Briggs. 

Held at the Briggs Farm, Barnard, Vt., 

September 1, 1909. 



It was in accordance with a suggestion of Mrs. P. C. Tinkham 
of Rochester, Vt. , that the following named parties met at Barnard 
village on Tuesday evening, August 31, 1909, viz: 

Mr. and Mrs. Seth Dean, of Glenwood, Iowa. 

Mr. and Mrs. Paul C. Tinkham, of Rochester, Vermont. 

Miss Mamie Briggs, of Rochester, Vermont. 

Mrs. Susan J. Jones, of Barre, Vermont. 

Mrs. Hattie E. Waite, of Barre, Vermont. 

All except Mr. P. C. Tinkham and Mrs. Seth Dean are direct 
descendants of Ephraim Briggs. After conferring together, plans 
and dreparations were made for liolding a family reunion at the 
homestead, on the morrow, and the following program was arranged : 

FORENOON 

Song— America. 

Words of Welcome—Mr. Frederick Chapman, owner of the farm. 

Response— Paul Tinkham. 

Music— Selection. 

Reading of Historical Notes of the Briggs F'amily— Seth Dean. 

Picnic Dinner. 

AFTERNOON 

Paul Tinkham, Toastmaster. 

Reminiscent Notes and Anecdotes by Individual Members. 
Music— Selection. 
Song— Auld Lang Syne. 
Departure for Home. 

Wednesday, September 1, 1909— Tlie weather this morning made 
necessary some changes in the program that had been arranged, and 
by common consent the interested parties met at the home of Mr. 



and Mrs. Albert Aikins in Barnard village, at 10.30 a. m., the fol- 
lowing parties being present, viz. : 

Mr. Paul C. Tinkham, of Rochester, Vermont. 

Mrs. Jessie C. (Briggs) Tinkham, of Rochester, Vermont. 

Miss Mary A. Briggs, of Rochester, Vermont. 

Mr. Seth Dean, Glenwood, Iowa. 

Mrs. Annah E. Dean, Glenwood, Iowa. 

Mrs. Susan Jane (Waite) Jones, of Barre, Vermont. 

Mrs. Hattie E. Waite, Barre, Vermont. 

Mrs. Abbie L. Shipman, of Milford, Iowa. 

Mrs. Rosie T. Dean, of Barnard, Vermont. 

Mrs. Albert H. Aikins-, of Barnard, Vermont. 

Mrs. Martha Jane Aikins, of Barnard, Vermont. 

Mrs. Van Lora (Aikins) Harrington, of Barnard, Vermont. 

Miss Martha Harrington of Barnard, Vermont. 

Here a sumptuous dinner was spread, to which each family 
present contributed a share. After dinner Mrs. Hattie E. Waite 
was elected president of the meeting, with authority to call on any 
member present for remarks, and in accordance with the above 
plans. Seth Dean then read his paper entitled "Some Notes About 
the Briggs Family," and this was followed by remarks by other 
members. 

The company then all drove out to the old farm some three 
miles south of the village, now owned by Mr. Frederick Chapman, 
of Woodstock. The party arrived tliere about 2:30 o'clock and was 
kindly received by Mrs. Chapman, Mr. Chapman being absent on 
business. An examination was made of places on the farm of inter- 
est to the older members— such as the site of the log house, the 
spring, the old pine tree where the children played, and the remains 
of the cider cellar. Mrs. Chapman also showed the company throflgh 
the house and served them to an afternoon tea. 

The party then returned to the hotel at Barnard, and after sup- 
per all met at the home of Mrs. R. T. Dean. There the evening 
was spent in social visit and in relating incidents and anecdotes of 
the members themselves or of their ancestors. 

When the time for departing arrived, it was agreed that the 
next reunion be held at such time and place as the president might 
later designate, and of which all members shall receive notice. 

Whereupon the meeting adjourned. 



COPY OF THE FIRST DEED OF THE BPvIGGS FARM. 
Recorded in Book 1, Page 147, Barnard Town Records. 

Know all men to whom these presents shallcome: 

I, Philip Jurden, of Hardwick, in the County of Worcester and 
State of the Massachusetts Bay, in New England, Yeoman; send 
greeting. Know ye that I, the said Philip Jurden, for and in con- 
sidera'ion of the sum of two hundred and twenty-five pounds lawful 
money to me in hand paid before the delivering hereof, by Epliraim 
Briggs of Ashford, in the State of Connecticut, Yeoman, the receipt 
whereof I do hereby acknowledge, have given and granted, bargained 
and sold and by these presents give, gran, bargain, sell and convey 
unto him the said Ephraim Briggs, his heirs and assigns forever, a 
certain tract or parcel of land being and lying in Barnard, in the 
County of Cumberland and State of Vermont, containing one hun- 
dred and fifty acres and is the Lot No. 189 and the northerly side of 
the Lot No. 190 and lies on the south side of Elias Keys land, with 
an allowance for highways through said land, which is full reserved. 
To have and to hold the said granted and bargained premises, to- 
gether with all their appurtenances, to him, the said Ephraim 
Briggs, his heirs and assigns forever; and I, the said Philip Jurden, 
for myself, my heirs, executors and administrators, do hereby coven- 
ant with the said Ephraim Briggs tliat at the sealing hereof I am 
the lawful owner of said granted premises, with their appurtenances, 
and stand seized thereof in my own proper right as a good estate in 
fee simple, that 1 have lawful right to sell the same as aforesaid, 
that they are free of all incumbrances whatsoever, and furtlier that 
I, my lieirs, executors and administrators, shall and will warrant 
and defend said granted premises unto the said Ephraim Briggs, his 
heirs and assigns forever, against the claims of all people claiming 
by any authority by or under me or any original grantor. 

^In witness whereof, I, the said Philip Jurden, have hereunto set 
my hand and seal this fourth day of June, 1779, and in the third 
year of the independence of America. 

PHILIP JURDEN. [L. S.] 

Signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of 
Timothy Eastman 
Rhoda Whitcomb 

Aniboland, s. s.— June tlie 4th, 1779. I, the above named Philip 
Jurden, personally appeared and owned this instrument to be his 
free act and deed, before me Asa Whitcomb, 

Justice of the Peace. 









^1: 








« M^^^^^H 



BRIGGS HOUSE, 1900 



LIBRftRY OF CONGRESS 



021 549 382 9 



I 
I 
I 



"The Person Who Is Not Loyal to the Memory of His Ancestors 
Deserves Himself to Be Forgotten." 



PROCEEDINGS OF THE 



Second, Third and Fourth 
Reunions 



of the 



Briggs Association in America 




Officers, 1917 



President 
Vice President 
Secretary 
Treasurer 
Historian 



B. W. Briggs. 1901 S. 16th St., Omaha, Neb. 
Benj. B. Dean, Glenwood, la. 
Seth Dean, Glenwood, la. 
Arthur Waite. Decatur, 111. 
R. L. Richmond, Rutland, Vt. 



re^itrrTiff^ifrriiys^ifiTti?f^itriti?rrtitf^iiT^iff^itr>ti^ 



I 
5 



'The Person Who Is Not Loyal to the Memory of His Ancestors 
Deserves Himself to Be Forgotten." 



PROCEEDINGS OF THE 



Second, Third and Fourth 
Reunions 



of the 



Briggs Association in America 




Officers, 1917 



President - B. W. Briggs, 1901 S. 16th St., Omaha, Neb. 
Vice President - - Benj. B. Dean, Glenwood, la. 

Secretary - - - Seth Dean, Glenwood, la. 

Treasurer - - - Arthur Waite, Decatur, 111. 

Historian - - - R. L. Richmond, Rutland, Vt. 



The fifth Reunion will be held in 1918, the time and place 
to be named by the President of the Association. 



^^^t7^lf?^lt?^l?frfl??Ttlt7^lf?^tlf;^lff^l??^lty^l?n^ 






GIFT 
ASSOCIATION 

MAR 24 »2T 



PROCEEDINGS OF THE 

SECOND BIENNIAL REUNION 

of the 

DESCENDANTS OF CAPT. EPHRAIM BRIGGS 

Held at 

Barnard. Vt., July 14-15-16, 1911. 



In accordance with arrangements previously made by resident 
parties, the following named met in reunion at the Cliflin summer 
cottage on the border of Silver Lake at the Town of Barnard, Ver- 
mont, on July 14, 1911, viz: 

Paul C. Tinkham, of Rochester, Vt. 

Jessie C. Tinkham, Rochester, Vt. 

Mary A. Briggs, Rochester, Vt. 

Leila D. Tinkham, Rochester. Vt. 

Hattie E. Waite. Barre, Vt. 

Susan J. Jones, Barre, Vt. 

Carolyn B. Field, St. Louis, Mo. 

Dr. Edward F. Jones, Indianapolis, Ind. 

Jane Briggs Packard, Bloomington, 111. 

Rhoda Briggs Burt, Potsdam. N. Y. 

Clarence E. Blackmer, St. Louis, Mo. 

Rosie T. Dean, Barnard, Vt. 

Daulora A. Harrington, Barnard Vt. 

Martha E. Harrington. Barnard, Vt. 

The general purpose of the reunion being the making of new, 
or renewing the former acquaintance of relatives near and distant, 
and the enjoyment of the pleasures of a summer outing at the Town 
of Barnard, near which the ancestors of most of those attending 
had resided for many years, emigrating there from other New Eng- 
land colonies in pioneer days while Vermont, now a wealthy and 
prosperous state, was a waif, seemingly, claimed in part by New 
Hampshire, New York and Massachusetts and each immigrant doing 
his or her part in moulding the policy that has made the now great 
Commonwealth of Vermont one of the best states in our Glorious 
Union. 

The program, largely an informal matter, under the direction of 
the President, Mrs. Hattie E. Waite, partook mostly of social pleas- 
ures, visiting places of interest in the vicinity and particularly the 
old Briggs farm, and also the Crowell farm, places originally owned 
by their ancestors. Letters were read from a number of members 
and parties who were unable to attend, anecdotes were related and 
interesting stories of personal experience of members and reminis- 



cences of "ye olden times" helped to enliven the spirit of the occa- 
sion. 

A visit to Barnard Cemetery, where many of the early settlers 
of the town are buried, recalled memories of by-gone days. It ap- 
pearing that the monuments now marking the graves of Capt. Briggs 
and Asa Whitcomb were in need of repair and resetting, arrange- 
ments for having this work done at the expense of the Briggs Asso- 
ciation were made and the work promptly done. 

On Sunday, July 16, most of the members present attended the 
Barnard Universalist church, of which Capt. Ephraim and his wife, 
Rhoda Whitcomb Briggs, were charter members at its organization 
in 1809. As the church organization has had a continuous existence 
through the intervening years, the old building almost seemed to 
speak to the visitors and bid them keep in memory the strong Chris- 
tian faith and sterling character of their ancestors. 

The following were elected officers of the Briggs Association for 
the term of two years, viz: 

President — Mrs. Hattie E. Waite, of Barre, Vt. 
Secretary — Mrs. Carolyn B. Field, St. Louis, Mo. 
Treasurer — Mrs. Jennie B. Packard Bloomington, 111. 
Historians — Mrs. Jennie B. Packard, Bloomington, 111.; Mrs. 
Rhoda B. Burt, Potsdam, N. Y. 

A resolution was then passed to hold a third reunion in 1913 at 
such time and place as the president shall find most convenient for 
all parties. 

After which the reunion was declared ended and the parties re- 
turned to their homes. 




PROCEEDINGS OF THE 

THIRD BIENNIAL REUNION 

of the 

DESCENDANTS OF CAPT. EPHRAIM BRIGGS 

Held at 

Barnard. Vt. August 15-16-17, 1913. 



The following named parties attending, viz: 

Hattie E. Waite, Barre, Vt. 

Susan J. Jones. Barre, Vt. 

Dr. H. N. Waite. Johnson, Vt. 

R. L. Richmond. Rutland. Vt. 

Mrs. R. L. Richmond, Rutland, Vt. 

Dena Richmond, Rutland, Vt. 

George W. Briggs, Lebanon, N. H. 

Rhoda Burt. Potsdam, N. Y. 

Jane Briggs Packard, Bloomington, 111. 

Carolyn B. Field. St. Louis, Mo. 

Clarence E. Blackmer, St. Louis, Mo. 

Arthur Wait, Decatur, 111. 

Erma Wait, Decatur. 111. 

Ines L. Lease, Waterbury, Vt. 

Donald Lease, Waterbury, Vt. 

Julia Curtis, Newark, N. J. 

Paul C. Tinkham, Rochester, Vt. 

Jessie C. Tinkham, Rochester, Vt. 

Lelia B. Tinkham, Rochester. Vt. 

Seth Dean, Glenwood. la. 

Annah E. Dean, Glenwood, la. 

Harvey Dean. Pacific Junction, la. 

Albert Aiken, Barnard, Vt. 

Van Lora Harrington. Barnard, Vt. 

Martha J. Harrington, Barnard, Vt. 

Harry Perkins, Barnard. Vt. 

Augusta Perkins Barnard, Vt. 

Julia A. Pierce, Rochester, Vt. 

Ellen Pierce, Rochester. Vt. 

Mrs. Chester Pierce. Rochester, Vt. 

Phyllis Pierce, Rochester, Vt. 

Chester E. Pierce, Rochester, Vt. 

Mary A. Briggs, Rochester, Vt. 

Accommodations for the party had been secured at B. C. Ha- 
thorn's, about one mile from the village, an ideal location overlooking 



Silver Lake, village, and surrounding country, and Thursday, the 
14th, was spent in greeting and becoming acquainted with old and 
new members. Letters of greeting from absent members, who were 
unable to be present, were read by the President. 

Friday morning at 10 A. M. the meeting was opened by our Presi- 
dent, Mrs. Hattie E. Waite. singing of song ("Old Lang Syne") words 
composed (or remodelled) by some of the members and sung to the 
tune of "Old Lang Syne." 

Should our old Grandsires be forgot 
And never brought to mind; 
Should our old Grandma's be forgot 
And days of Old Lang Syne. 
Chorus: 

For days of Old Lang Syne, my dear. 
For old Lang Syne 
We'll take a cup of kindred love. 
For Old Lang Syne. 

We all have come from far and near 
For this, the New Lang Syne; 
We bring a greeting warm and dear 
For this glad summer time. 

We all have wandered o'er the hills 
That knew our Grandsires time; 
We've bridged the miles between our homes 
For the sake of Old Lang Syne. 

And here's a hand, my cousins dear; 
Gi'e us a hand of thine. 
We'll take the cup of kindred love, 
For Old Lang Syne. 

The adopting of the Constitution and making it a permanent or- 
ganization was discussed and a committee appointed, consistinj of 
Seth Dean, Harvey Dean and Rollin L. Richmond. Reading of the 
Constitution and by-laws by Rollin Richmond. Open for discussion. 
Motion made and carried that the paper be taken up by sections. 

Friday, the 16th. Called to order by the President at 10 A. M. 
After much discussion, changing and amending the constitution. The 
Constitution was adopted, the Association to be known as the "Briggs 
Association in America." The first idea of a Brigg's association was 
formed by Jessie Tinkham ?nd Seth Dean and it was suggested that 
their names come first on list of charter members. Friday P. M. a 
trip was made to the old home of Ephraim Briggs. We were very 
cordially welcomed by Mr. tnd Mrs. Chapman, present occupants 
of the home, and shown about the home, and told of various changes 
that had been made in the home. Interesting papers of the Briggs 
Genealogy was read by Seth Dean and others, near the spot where 
the first log cabin was built and where our Great Grandfather took 



his bride Ehoda Whitcomb, to live. A poem, representing the old 
home speaking to us, was composed and read by Mrs. Jessie Tink- 
ham; responded to very nicely by Donald Lease, a 12-year-old lad 
and the first son of the seventh generation. A goodly number of 
the party took the trip to the old "Pine Tree," of early fame, where 
our ancestors used to play house and have their dinner parties; also 
up the hill to the famous "old spring" and drank of its pure cold 
water, which seemed to put new life in us all. A few of the octo- 
genarians who preferred to accept the kind invitation of Mr. and Mrs. 
Chapman to remain in rocking chairs on the broad piazza never will 
know what they missed and never can be told, as it must be seen to 
be known and appreciated. 

Saturday, the IGth. Meeting called to order at 10 A. M. The 
report of the nominating committee was read by the chairman, pre- 
senting the following names for election: For President, George W. 
Briggs of Lebanon, New Hampshire; Vice-President, Harvey Dean, of 
Glenwood, Iowa; Secretary, Seth Dean of Glenwood, la.; Treasurer, 
Arthur Waite of Decatur, 111.; Historian, Rollin L. Richmond, Rutland, 
Vt. Motion was made and carried that we vote collectively. Motion 
made by Mrs. Grace Richmond, seconded by Paul Tinkham, that of- 
ficers named by nominating committee be elected unanimously. Car- 
licd. Secretary's revert read and approved and placed on record. 
Treasurer reported ■?2.e5 expended on repairing the tombstone of 
Asa Whitcomb, $4.25 expended on printing matter, balance in Treas- 
ury $10.10. Moved end seconded by Seth and Harvey Dean that re- 
port be accepted and placed on record. Carried. A memorial re- 
port of the death, cf two of our number, who have been laid to rest 
since our last reunion (Mrs. Angeline Jones and Mrs. Rosie Wood 
Dean), was read by Seth Dean. On motion made and carried, report 
was placed on record. The President reported on the condition of 
the tombstones of Elijah Briggs and his sister. Reliance, who are 
buried in Berkley, Mass. (Hattie Wait, Jessie Tinkham and Susan 
Jones bed visited Berkley in the early summer and found the burial 
r laces of Gt. Gt. Gt. Grandfather Jonathan and Gt. Gt. Grandfather 
Elijah and Reliance Briggs.) Motion was made and carried, by Seth 
Dean and i^rthur Waite that an investigating committee be appoint- 
ed and $50.00. more or less, as needed, be expended on repairing and 
fixing up the tombstones of our ancestors. Adjourned for dinner, 
•after which cne hour wr.s spent in giving toasts around the table. 
Seth Dean, the toastmaster, made some interesting remarks, followed 
by George Biiggs, Harvey Dean, Clarence Blackmer and others, all 
remarks relating to the Briggs family. The meeting was called to 
order at 3 P. M. Reading of the Constitution as amended, for the 
benefit of those m.embers vho were not present when first read. 
Payment of dues then in order. The dues were fixed at $1.00 each 
per year. There were 34 members present, 7 states represented, 
doubling the number cf our reunion of 1911. This, with the $10.10 
in Treasury will give our Treasurer a good start and we hope for 
great success. Historical sketches of the various branches of the 
Briggs family were read by Mrs. Rhoda Burt, Rollin L. Richmond 



and Jennie B. Packard; the first, sketches in the life of Asa Whit- 
comb and Asa Barnard Briggs, the last a sketch of the life of her 
father, Josephus Briggs. RoUin Richmond's "Tree of the Briggs' " 
was very interesting. 

A poem composed and read by Mrs. C. B. Field: 
Greetings from Vermont 

From the hills and valleys of Old Vermont, 
From loyal hearts, and true, 
From fertile farms, and maple groves. 
Come cordial greetings to you. 

From the broad Connecticut, on the east. 

To Lake Champlain, on the west, 

A wish goes forth from the Green Mountain State 

That Fortune give you her best. 

To all the friends who are gathered here, 
We bid you welcome, with right good cheer; 
And may the week, ere it shall be done. 
Be fully enjoyed by every one. 

We are met together, a reunion to hold 
Of the great Briggs family, of whom all have been told 
How they cleared the forests, and made the town, 
And built their homes and tilled the ground. 

When we look this country o'er 
And see what they have done. 
It ought to fill with pride 
The hearts of every one. 

So sink or swim, live or die, 
Let us stand by the Briggs's, forever and aye; 
And every other summer, we hope to see 
All of the friends, in the good town of B. 

Where our ancestors lived rnd raised their flock 
Of men and women — a grand old stock; 
Men and women sturdy and strong, 
Striving for right, and shunning the wrong. 

As for ambition, energy, endurance and wit, 

They tell me the Briggs were full of it. 

And as the ages roll along and our burden of life laid down. 

May our descendants pick up the work and carry it on and on. 

Enjoy the work as we have done 
And work in harmony, every one. 



May they cherish the memory of those gone before 
And be true to each other forever more. 

Over the road and up the hill 
Lieth a village, white and still; 
The marbel doors are always shut; 
You cannot enter, hall, or hut; 

And in that village, the records say. 

Some of our ancestors are laid away. 

Let us so live our lives, that, when laid to rest. 

Our descendants can truly say, "They did their best;" 

And when the final summons comes 

To leave this earthly din. 

May we meet Saint Peter at the gate, who will say: 

"Thou hast done well, enter thou in." 

Motto chosen: "The person who Is not loyal to the memory of 
his ancestors, deserves himself to be forgotton." The installation of 
officers now took place and the newly elected officers were mar- 
shgled in by the retiring officers. All through the reunion by the 
way of relieving the business part, at intervals, many stories and 
jokes were exchanged and extracts from the diary of Elijah Briggs 
in 1764 was read by R. L. Richmond and thoroughly enjoyed by 
all. This diary was in the possession of a party in Berkley and 
kindly loaned to us. 

One very amusing feature was that of a mock court trial, and 
very ably rendered by the judge, George Briggs, Sheriff Paul Tink- 
ham. Lawyer Seth Dean. Prisoner Harvey Dean and Accomplice Rol- 
lin Richmond. It afforded great amusement for all present. No fur- 
ther business coming before the meeting, we adjourned until some 
time and place to be designated by the executive board and of which 
all members shall receive notice. Camp broke up Sunday A. M., 
the 17th, part of the members going to church and part leaving for 
their homes, followed on Monday by the rest, and the Briggs reunion 
of 1913 was a thing of the past. 

— Carolyn Briggs Field, Secretary. 





1, Harvey Dean; 2 Piiul Tiiikham ; 3, Seth Dean; 4, Geo. W. 
Briggs; 5, Arthur Wa't ; 6, Donald Lease; 7, Dr. H. N. Wait; 
8, R. L. Richmond. 




1, Mrs. .T. C. Tlnkham : 2, Miss Lelia D. Tlnltham; 3. Mrs. .Julia 
A. Curtis; 4, Mrs. Seth Dean; 5, Miss Ernia Wait; 6, Miss 

Mary A. Brifigs ; 7, ; 8, Mrs. Carolyn 

Field; 9, Mrs. .lane B. Packard; 10. Mrs. Inez Lease. 



PROCEEDINGS OF THE 

FOURTH REUNION OF THE BRIGGS ASSO- 
CIATION IN AMERICA 

Held at 
Rochester, Vt., August &-10-11, 1916. 



The session was called to order by the President, George W. 
Briggs, Wednesday, August 9th, at 2 P. M., with the following offi- 
cers present, viz: Harvey Dean, vice president; Seth Dean, secre- 
tary; R. L. Richmond, historian. The treasurer, Arthur Wait, being 
absent on account of illness in his family. The register showed the 
following members attending: 

Geo. W. Briggs. Lebanon, N. H. 

Mrs. Jennie B. Packard, Bloomington, 111. 

RoUin L. Richmond, Rutland, Vt. 

Mary A. Briggs, Rochester, Vt. 

B. B. Dean, Glen wood, la. 

Mary W. Dean, Glenwood, la. 

Seth Dean. Glenwood, la. 

Annah E. Dean, Glenwood, la. 

Harvey Dean. Pacific Junction, la. 

Paul C. Tinkham. Rochester, Vt. 

Jessie C. Tinkham, Rochester, Vt. 

Mary A. Briggs, Rochester, Vt. 

Lelia T. Miller. Rochester, Vt. 

Dr. H. N. Waite, Johnson, Vt. 

Carolyn B. Field, St. Louis, Mo. 

Hattie E. Waite. Barre, Vt. 

Susan J. Jones, Barre, Vt. 

Rhoda B. Burt, Potsdam, N. Y. 

Ellen L. Pierce, Rochester, Vt. 

Julia A. Pierce, Rochester, Vt. 

Mary J. Aiken, E. Braintree, Mass. 

Visiting guests: 

Norman Baker, Norwalk, O. 
Celia Baker, Norwalk, O. 

The minutes of the third reunion were then read by the secretary. 
Letters from absent members expressing their interest in the Associ- 
ation and regretting their inability to attend, were much appreciated 
by those present. 

The President then gave an oral address full of good suggestions 



for the future of the association, which was well received by all pres- 
ent. 

The report of the Secretary was then read showing a present 
membership of thirty-five, and was ordered placed on file. 

The Treasurer's report having been mailed to the secretary was 
then read and on motion both the Secretary's and Treasurer's re- 
ports were referred to a committee consisting of Hattie E. Waite and 
Mary Briggs for auditing. 

The attention of the president having been called to the fact 
that several members of the association had died since the last meet- 
ing, B. B. Dean, Jessie Tinkham and Carolyn Field were named as 
a Committee on Necrology. 

The regular business of the day having been concluded, a mem- 
ber presented the following: Whereas, it appearing that a traditional 
belief is current among the members that Gabriel was one of the 
ancestral Briggs, the matter was by unanimous vote at this time re- 
ferred to the Historian, who successfully established that fact by 
undisputed written evidence in his possession. 

After which the business session was closed to permit the mem- 
bers to accept an invitation to a supper given by the ladies of the 
Rochester Universalist church, which was greatly appreciated by 
all. 

Wednesday evening was passed at the home of Mr. and Mrs. 
Tinkham in social visit and at tliis time the Historian made a re- 
port on some genealogical facts of interest to the Briggs family. The 
report was approved. 

Thursday August 10. 1916. 
The Association met and was called to order by the President at 
10 A. M., at the Pierce residence, the present building occupying the 
site of the former home and store of E. D. Briggs, for many years 
Rochester's leading merchant. The old store was destroyed by fire 
February 11, 1914. 

The Auditing Committee now presented its report, viz: 
To the Briggs Association: 

We, the Auditing Committee, report that we have examined the 
reports of the secretary and the treasurer as filed and find them 
correct; and that the treasurer has collected from all sources $63.09 
and has paid out $18.00, leaving a balance in his hands of $45.09. We 
find that the secretary has collected from membership fees $3.00, and 
has paid out for current expenses per bills $6.00, showing a balance 
due him of $3.00. We recommend the report be approved. 

Hattie E. Waite, Mary A. Briggs, Carolyn B. Field, Committee. 

On motion, the report of the committee was approved and or- 
dered put on record. 

The Executive Committee now made Its report, as follows, viz: 
To the members of the Briggs Association in America: 

Your Executive Committee report that we find the Association to 
be a very much alive organization in spirit and acts, if not unwieldly 
in numbers, and we believe it has a useful mission to fill. In the 



matter of unfinished business we find that the matter of repair of 
the tombstones of Elijah and Reliance Briggs, provided for at the 
third reunion has not yet been carried out and we recommend that 
it be referred to the incoming Executive Committee for their action. 
We find no other unfinished business from the last reunion. 

Respectfully submitted, 
George W. Briggs, Harvey Dean, Seth Dean, Committee. 
On motion the report was received and ordered of record. 

The following resolution was then presented and on motion 
passed unanimously, viz: 

WHEREAS, Information comes to us that there is illness in the 
family of one of our esteemed members, Fao Wait, of Decatur, 111., 
with a possibility of the disease appearing in the family of our 
Treasurer, Arthur Wait, preventing the attendance of these families 
in this reunion Therefore, 

BE IT RESOLVED, by the members of this Association, that 
our sympathy be and is hereby extended to these families and the 
hope that the ill ones may speedily recover, and the Secretary be 
and is hereby instructed to convey this message to the parties. 

The following was then presented and on motion passed, and 
the Secretary instructed to notify Mr. Briggs of our action, viz: 

Whereas, We learn that Mr. Charles H. Briggs of Minneapolis, 
Minn., is now engaged in the compilation of a genealogical history 
of the Briggs families in America and believing this to be both a 
necessary and a meritorious work requiring much study and research 
as well as expense in getting the facts together and publishing the 
same, therefore. 

BE IT RESOLVED, by the Briggs Association assembled in its 
fourth reunion at Rochester, Vt. on August 10, 1916, that we approve 
of this work and commend it to our members and recommend that 
individually they render Mr. Briggs all assistance possible in se- 
curing reliable data for this history. 

The Secretary at this time presented the following list of names 
of parties who made application for membership in the Association, 
viz: 

Benj. W. Briggs. Omaha. Neb. 

Ephraim Briggs. Fort Dodge, Kan. 

Mary Briggs, Fort Dodge, Kan. 

Percy R. Blackmer. St. Louis, Mo. 

L. G. Blackmer. St. Louis, Mo. 

John E. Briggs. Iowa City, la. 

Ida J. Briggs, Glenwood, la. 

Grace M. Waite. Barre, Vt. 

Louis Briggs Jones, Providence, R. I. 

Ida R. Davis, E. Braintree, Mass. 

Caroline W. Berry, E. Braintree, Mass. 

Leslie Dean Pierce, Rochester, Vt. 

Benjamin B. Dean, Glenwood, la. 



Mary W. Dean, Glenwood la. 
Henry H. Dean, Glenwood, la. 
Mary P. Dean, Glenwood, la. 
Doris Briggs, Deerfield, Mass. 
Guy W. Briggs, Deerfield, Mass. 
Helen S. Briggs, Deerfield, Mass. 
Mary J. Aiken. B. Braintree, Maes. 

On motion the parties were each unanimously elected to mem- 
bership. 

The report of the Nominating Committee was now presented, 
being as follows, viz: 
To the Briggs Association: 

Your committee nominate and recommend the following named 
parties for officers of the Association for the next biennial period, 
viz: 

For President — B. W. Briggs of Omaha, Neb. 

For Vice-President — Benj. B. Dean of Glenwood. la. 

For Secretary — Seth Dean of Glenwood, la. 

For Treasurer — Arthur W<aite of Decatur, 111. 

For Historian — R. L. Richmond, Rutland, Vt. 

Respectfully submitted, 
P. C. Tinkham, Rhoda Burt, Julia A. Pierce. 

On motion the report was received. 

A motion was then made with second and carried that the rules 
requiring a separate vote on each candidate be suspended and that 
the Chairman of the Nominating Committee be instructed to cast 
the unanimous ballot of the members present for the parties recom- 
mended. And the same was then done. 

The meeting was then adjourned to permit the members to 
dine and then go on an excursion trip provided by the local mem- 
bers, to visit places of interest in the vicinity. 

No session was held in the afternoon. 

Called to order at 8 P. M. at the home of Mrs. Pierce. Moved 
and carried that the secretary prepare suitable blank forms for 
application for membership to be used in securing new members. 

No new business appearing at this time, the evening was spent 
in social amusements and reminiscent anecdotes and experiences of 
the members. 

August 11, 1916. 
Called to order at 9 A. M. at the home of Mrs. Pierce. It ap- 
pearing that certain members of the Briggs Association had been 
charged with sundry acts and delinquencies derogatory to the good 
reputation of the Association and contrary to the Briggs code of laws, 
for such cases made and provided, and the complaints having been 
made in writing in each instance with specification of time and place 
where the offense was committed, each of the accused were called 
before a magistrate and proper opportunity given the party to ex- 



plain their conduct, and failing in this were declared guilty and a 
proper sentence, in accordance with the magnitude of the crime, was 
imposed on the criminal by the court and duly carried out by him, 
after which the character of the several parties was declared sat- 
isfactory to the court. 

After which the noon hour having arrived, proceedings were ad- 
journed to 8 P. M. 

Evening Session. 

Called to order at 8 P. M. at the home of Mrs. Tinkham. At 
this time a pine cone p-arty was provided and as the cones were 
burned in the grate each party called on responded with a story or 
sentiment and much merriment was produced from the witty remarks. 

At the close the Committee on Resolutions made its report as 
follows, viz: 
To the Briggs Association, Greeting: 

WHEREAS, The fourth reunion, held at Rochester, Vt, August 
9 to 11, inclusive, has been attended by quite a large number of the 
members who have very greatly enjoyed the pleasant and profitable 
gathering, we realize that much of this pleasure was the result of 
the efforts of the local members. Therefore, 

BE IT RESOLVED, That the thanks of the Association be and 
are hereby extended to the resident members and citizens of Roches- 
ter for their efforts in our behalf. 

B. B. Dean, Annah E. Dean, Committee. 

On motion the same was carried unanimously. 

A rising vote of thanks was then given the retiring officers for 
their efficient service in the interest of the Association, after which, 
on motion, the Association adjourned sine die. 

— Seth Dean, Secretary. 





ROCHESTER, VT. 



LUCIAN RICHMOND BLACKMER was born in Barnard, Vt., March 
6, 1848; died at Webster Groves, Mo., March 28, 1914. He was 
pre eminently a self-made business man, having spent his child- 
hood and youth on a farm. He early learned the great business 
principle of thoughtfulness and self-reliance, factors that en- 
tered largely into his successful business career in later life. 
His technical education was principally acquired in the public 
schools of Vermont, supplemented by a short term of bookkeep- 
ing at Bryant & Stratton's night school in St. Louis. Believing 
that the west offered better advantages in a business way than 
the east, in 1866 he came to St. Louis, which city was his home 
afterward. He married Elvira Jeannette Richmond at Barnard, 
Vt., in November, 1883. 

EDWARD L. PIERCE was born in Rochester, Vt., July 26, 1843; 
died in Rochester, Vt., July 14, 1914. He was an only son of 
Chester and Caroline Briggs Pierce, being a grandson of Ephraim 
D. Briggs. one of the pioneer citizens of the town of Rochester, 
and was a life long resident of the town. His education was 
acquired in the public schools of Rochester, with a short term 
in New London, N. H., after which he worked as a clerk in the 
Briggs store in Rochester and later engaged in mercantile busi- 
ness for himself, in which he was very successful. He ever took 
an active part in the public affairs of Rochester and was liberal 
in his support of every enterpi-ise that helped the town or pro- 
moted a better civilization. 

AUGUSTINE WAITE was born in Stowe, Vt, June 24, 1840; died 
in Miami, Fla. He was educated in the Vermont public schools 
and later attended Harvard law school, graduating therefrom in 
1862, but instead of entering the legal profession he at once en- 
gaged in merchandising, in which line he was unusually suc- 
cessful. He was married to Miss Nancy Ainsworth of Macon 
county, 111., in 1863. In October, 1876, he permanently settled in 
Decatur, 111., entering actively into the business interests of the 
city. His health failing, he spent considerable time in travel in 
this and foreign countries, and had gone to Florida for the win- 
ter, when death came suddenly. 

JOSEPHINE BRIGGS CLARK was born in Rochester, Vt., July 25, 
1835; died September 10, 1914. She was married January 21, 
1864, to Major Albert Clark, a Civil War veteran and prominent 
in the legislative affairs of the state and nation. Maj. Clark 
died at Highgate, Vt., July 16, 1912. 




GENEALOGICAL NOTES OF THE BRIGGS 

FAMILY 

and Connecting Lines 

Compiled by R. L. Richmond, Rutland, Vt., for the Fourth Re- 
union of the Briggs Association in America, held at 
Barnard, Vt., August 14-15-16, 1913. 



My own interest in the Briggs family comes from my grand- 
mother, Joanna Briggs, born March 13, 1787, who married Maj. Lem- 
uel Richmond of Barnard. February 24, 1805, and lived in Barnard, 
Vt., dying October 16, 1867, at the home of her daughter, Elvira 
Janette Blackmer, with whom she made her home after the death 
of her husband, April 16, 1864. I can remember her indistinctly. It 
was only on special occasions that we boys were allowed to invade 
the privacy of the big corner room where Grandfather sat in his 
armed chair, attended by his wife. Grandfather was blind, or nearly 
so, for some years prior to his death. I can remember one visit I 
made them which happened to be at the time that Grandfather was 
having his daily drink; the mug was turned over to me and I was 
industriously scraping it for the sugar which clung to the bottom 
when my mother appeared in the room, and I leave it to you to pic- 
ture the scene. Suifice it to say the remembrance of the event will 
remain with me always. 

Joanna had three brothers, Benjamin, Ephraim Dean, and Asa 
Barnard, and one sister, Rhoda, and was the daughter of Capt. 
Ephraim and Rhoda (Whitcomb) Briggs. Capt. Ephraim was born 
June 30, 1756; married March 19, 1780. Rhoda Whitcomb died Aug- 
ust 10, 1829, and is buried in Hannawa Falls, N. Y. Capt. Ephraim 
obtained his title through service in the militia of Vermont. He was 
a Revolutionary soldier, serving in Massachusetts, and was either at 
or near Bunker Hill on the day of the battle. In the war of 1812 he 
marched to the relief of Plattsburg but 1 understand did not reach 
that place in time to take part in the battle. Capt. Ephraim had 
two sisters. Silva and Eliphal, and was the son of Elijah and Jemima 
(Dean) Briggs. Elijah was a man with an excellent education for 
his time, a schoolmaster by profession, living in Berkley, Mass. 
You have probably seen a copy of his will, which is an interesting 
document, showing his devotion to his work and to the Congrega- 
tional church of the orthodox denomination. He was born Septem- 
ber 2, 1730; married February 12. 1756 to Jemima Dean, and died 
May 10, 1795. Elijah Briggs was the eldest child of the three sons 
and seven daughters of Jonathan and Tabitha (Crane) Briggs; their 
names were Elijah, Ezra, Ketui-ah, Louis, Cephas, Deborah, Reliance. 



Desire, Armittai, Eunice. Jonathan was born October 28, 1707; mar- 
ried according to E. B. Crane's Berkley record, February 20, 1728, 
and died December 9, 1772. I am unable to tell you the occupation 
of Jonathan Briggs or anything regarding him further than the names 
and dates of birth of children. Jonathan Briggs was^* the son of 
Thomas and Keturah (Hatch) Briggs. If there were otjier children 
of Thomas and Keturah beside Jonathan and his sister Hannah, they 
do not appear in any record which has come to my attention. 1 
should presume that more will be found. Thomas has a birth given 
him as 1680, married October, 1702, Keturah Hatch. He was a shoe- 
maker by trade and was blind for many years before his death. 
Now in Taunton : nd vicinity Thomas Briggs' were plenty about 
this time. The Gen. Reg. for 1884. page 271, says Thomas Briggs 
was a son of William and hsd a brother William. Clement Briggs' son 
Jonathan had a son Thomas, but if this list of Jonathan's chil- 
dren is in order of birth there would be trouble in making dates 
agree. 1 am inclined to the belief, however, that our Thomas was 
the son of Jonathan, who was the son of Clement. 

Rhoda (Whitcomb) Briggs was the eldest child of Asa and Jo- 
anna (Raymond) Whitcomb, born July 22, 1760; the other children 
were John. Chapman, Anthony, Asa Barnard, Joanna Benjamin and 
Philocles. Asa Whitcomb was born in Hardwich, Mass., February 
29, 1735-6. and married March 15, 1759. Joanna Raymond. You 
all know the record of this able and energetic ancestor and I will 
not take the time to record all his activities, but will with your per- 
mission read Mr. Baxter's description of Rhoda Whitcomb which 
was to have appeared in the never to be published History of Wind- 
sor County, by William Porter Baxter. Speaking of her he wrote, 
"In person she was tall and rather spare, with regular features and 
a decidedly intellectual cast of countenance, while her large dark 
luminous eyes and snowy hair combined with her dignified and 
serious manner, gave the children on first introduction an awesome 
feeling as of some supernatural person which was soon dispelled 
by her charm of conversation and friendly manner. Her faith in 
the final salvation of all mankind was strong and nothing grieved 
her more than the thought that all whom she loved could not share 
it. She died at the home of her son. Asa Barnard, whose home 
was hers after the death of her husband, at Hannawa Falls, N. Y. 
Asa was the son of Nathaniel and Rosilla (Coombs) Whitcomb, born 
February 29, 1735-6. He, Asa, had five sisters and three brothers, 
Jo una, Mary. Dorcas, Nathaniel, Rosilla and John by the same moth- 
er, and Lot and Content by a second marriage to Rhoda Blackman. 
Nathaniel lived in Rochester and Hardwich. He was a cooper by 
trade and held the offices of Assessor and Select man. He was 
born August 19, 1697; married Rosilla Coombs January 21, 1722-3; 
married, second, July 27, 1738. He died March 18, 1771. Nathaniel 
was the second son of James and Mary (Parker) Whitcomb; born 
May 26, 1752. He had three brothers and two sisters, James, James, 
Mary, Joanna, and Robert. James Whitcomb lived in Scituate and 



Rochester. He was a "set work" cooper by trade and died June 
26, 1728. 

James Whitcomb was the son of Robert and Mary (Cud worth i 
Whitcomb, born 1668. He had two brothers, Israel and Robert, and 
two sisters, Mary and Elizabeth. Of Robert's marriage <o Mary 
Cudworth we have a record that he was fined beeaus j the marriage 
was performed by the Quaker preacher, Henry Hobson, of Rhode 
Island, and the ceremony was ygain performed by a Magistrate in 
due and legal form March 9. 1660. Robert Whitcomb lived in Scitu- 
ate: his home was at "The Beeches," which was the home of the 
family for generations. Robert was the son of John and Frances 

( ) Whitcomb. John was the emigrant ancestor of this line, born 

about 1588. He came from Dorchester, Somersetshire, Eng., in 
1629-30. Was at Dorchester 1633. Scituate 1640. Lancaster 1654. Be- 
side Robert John had the following children: John, Job, Josiah, Jon- 
athan, Cathrine, Abigail, Mary and James. John Whitcomb died 
September 24, 1662, aged 74 years. 

In the Whitcomb Genealogy (which is a fine book), the line is 
carried back to the time of Henry IV, 1399, with an occasional "prob- 
ably," or "perhaps," scattered along through it. Mrs. Morey con- 
tributed this line in America long before the Whitcomb book was 
published and almost no corrections have had to be made in it 
since the record was made. 

Jemima Dean, who married Elijah Briggs February 12, 1756, 
was the daughter of Ephraim and Mary (Allen) Dean. She had five 
brothers and one sister, Ephraim, Simeon, Joel. Philip, Mary and 
Ezra. Some of us have been told that Jemima was not always 
sweet tempered; her disposition may have been just the stimulus 
needed to develop the character of Elijah. The record of this family 
was found in the Vital Records of Rehobeth, and no account was 
given further than the names. 

Ephraim had a second wife, Martha Blackman, but the children 
were by his first wife. The marriage to Mary Allen was performed 
by the Rev. David Turner May 7, 1724. Ephraim was the young- 
est of the six children of Ezra and Bethia (Edson) Dean. The 
others \vere Bethia, Ezra, Samuel, Seth and Margaret. Ezra had 
the distinction of being the second child born in Taunton. He mar- 
ried December 17, 1676-8, Bethia Edson and died about 1732. He 
was the second child of Walter and Eleanor (Cogan) Dean. The 
others being Benjamin, Joseph. Lydia, Mary and .lames. Walter was 
born between 1615-20 in Chard. Eng. Married his wife there and 
came first to Dorchester, then to Taunton. Freeman in 1638, Select- 
man, Representative 1640. Was a tanner by trade and a prominent 
man in the affairs of Taunton, and the colony. In the purchase of 
Dighton, which was originally a part of Taunton, from the Indians 
he had a part, the land was conveyed by the Sachem Philip, to a 
committee of the associates consisting of Walter Dean, James Walk- 
er, John Richmond, and Richard WSlkins. He was also one of the 
proprietors of the Taunton Iron Works, being associated in this 
business with James Walker, Thomas Gilbert, Richard Williams. 



John Richmond and the Leonards. Walter's father never came to 
America; his name was William and a copy of his will can be found 
in N. E. H. &. G. Reg. Vol. 51. This William's father was Walter 
and he lived at South Chard, Eng., dying in 1591. The Deane Rec- 
ord was compiled by Josiah H. Drummond, a, distinguished genealo- 
gist and for a long time connected with the Genealogical Rooms in 
Somerset Street, Boston. 

Joanna Raymond, the other Grandmother of Joanna Briggs, and 
from whom our Joanna got her name, was the second child of Benja- 
min and Mercy (Chapman) Raymond. The others were Benjamin, 
John, Mercy, Thankful, Mary and Deborah. She was born May 11, 
1740. She married March 15, 1759, Asa Whitcomb. Her father, 
Benjamin, was a cooper by trade and lived in Hardwich and Roches- 
ter. He died October 2. 1779, and his wife died M.ay 26. 1806. 

Benjamin was the second child of William and Deborah (Balch) 
Raymond, who were married February 8, 1710. The others were 
William and Daniel. Shortly after the birth of Daniel, Deborah 
(Balch) Raymond died and William married Tabitha Edwards and 
had Paul, Mary, Edward. Deborah, Lemuel, Jonathan, and Lemuel 
again. William lived in Beverly, Rochester and Wareham. He was 
a prominent man there and Town Clerk for many years. He was the 
oldest son of William and Mary (Kettle) Raymond. There was one 
sister older, Mary, and two brothers, Daniel and Paul , younger. The 
family made their home in Beverly and William died in 1701. He 
was the oldest child of Capt. William and Hannah (Bishop) Ray- 
mond. Capt. William was born 1637; married twice, first to Hannah 
Bishop, by whom he had our William, Edward, George. Hannah and 
Abigail; by his second wife. Ruth Hall, whom he married about 
1680, he had Mercy and Ebenezer. Capt. William came to America 
about 1652, lived at Salem and Beverly, was a soldier in King Phil- 
ip's War, and t the Naragansett figt, Lieut. Commander of Beverly, 
and Wareham troops 1683, Commander in Canadian Expedition 1690, 
Representative for Beverly 1685-6. He died June 29, 1709. He was 
probably born in England and was brother of John of Beverly. His 
father might have been William, who also came to Massachusetts. 

The first Great Grandmother of Joanna Briggs we will place in 
the record is Tabitha Crane. She was the daughter of Benjamin 
and Mary ( — — ) Crane, born about 1714, married February 20, 1728, 
Jonathan Briggs. She had two brothers and one sister, Benjamin, 
Seth and Mary or Mercy. The diary in my possession kept by Elijah 
Briggs in 1792 abounds in references to his honored mother. The 
Crane blood is good and I have no doubt that Tabitha Crane de- 
served all the affection and respect accorded her by her loyal son. 
There are a few minor points in the Crane record that should be 
cleared up to make the line satisfactory but Elery B. Crane, the 
genealogist of the family, assures me it is correct as given. 

Benjamin was the son of Henry and Tabitha (Kinsley) Crane, 
born 1656. Henry had a second wife married about 1683, named Eliz- 
abeth. The children of both marriages were besides Benjamin, Ste- 
phen, Henry, John, Elizabeth, Ebenezer, Anna. Mary, Mercy and 



Samuel. Henry Crane was in Dorchester 1654, Milton 1667. In the 
Massachusetts Archives, Vol. XXX, page 239, there is an autograph 
letter of Henry Crpne dated May 7, 1677, well written, good spelling 
and nicely composed. He bought and sold much land, was Select- 
man of Milton for several years, member of Rev. Peter Thacher's 
church; his wife was admitted to same from Braintree 1681. He 
died in Milton. March 21, 1709, aged about 88 years, which would 
place his birth in 1621, in England. 

M.ary Allen, the second Great Grandmother of Joanna Briggs, 
was born August 22, 1700, in Rehobeth, the daughter of Benjamin 
and Hopestill (Leonard) Allen. Mary was apparently in no hurry 
to get married as their intentions, Ephraim Dean and Mary Allen, 
were published November 11, 1723, and they were married May 7, 
1724, about six months later, by the Rev. David Towne. Mary had 
three brothers and four sisters — Joseph, Jemima, John. Ann, Rachel, 
David and Martha. The record of this family I get from Vital Rec- 
ords of Rehobeth where Benjamin Allen and Hopestill Leonard were 
married in November 1695. I can tell you nothing regarding this 
family further than n; mes and dates, as the Vital Records do not 
abound in stories. 

Benjamin was the sen of the Benjamin Allen whose wife's name 
is not known. He was twin with Hannah, born September 7, 1671, 
and had another sister Abigail. Benjamin, the father of this family, 

settled in , which was wiped out by the Indians 

in 1675. The Aliens escaped and went to his father's home in Salem, 
where Benjamin died in 1678. 

Benjamin was the son of Walter and Rebecca ( ) Allen. Wal- 
ter lived in Newberg 1640. Charlestown 1652, and owned much land 
at what was called Watertown farms near the boundary. He mar- 
ried twice, first Rebecca, who was the mother of his children, and 
second Abigail Rogers. Besides Benjamin he had children John 
Daniel, Joseph and Abigail. Walter was born about 1601 and died 
July 8, 1681, leaving an estate of 3015 pounds. No record of his 
marriage has been found in America, so presume he was married 
and had three children before he came to America. 

Rosilla Coombs was a most elusive Grandmother and proved a 
puzzle to all. Mrs. Morey spent much time trying to trace her in 
the libraries of Chicago. It was by accident that she was located. 
Being in correspondence with Ceo. A. Gardner of New Bedford the 
subject was mentioned and he was told that Rosilla seemed a very 
difficult person to find and he v.as asked to look for her whenever 
he had the opportunity. He was in Rochester some time after and 
remembering my question, searched the records, found she was 
named Rosama. published as Rose and married as Rosilla. She was 
the daughter of Anthony Coombs; name of mother not known. An- 
thony had other children. John. Hannah, Johanne, Joshua, Francis 
and Jane. Tradition says Rosilla was of part French blood. She 
was born November 23, 1702, and married January 21, 1722-3 Na- 
thaniel Whitcomb. She died March 8, 1737. 

Anthony Coombs, the father, was probably the emigrant, as 



no further record can be found. He cannot be connected with Fran- 
cis Coombs of Plymouth, a hope Mrs. Morey often expressed as that 
would have given you a Mayflower ancestor, Degory Priest. 

Mary Chapman, the last Great Grandmother of Joanna Briggs, 

was the daughter of William and Deborah (- ) Chapman. She 

married Benjamin Raymond and is only a name to me. There is 
a lot of Chapman matter to look up and it ought not to be diffi- 
cult to find this family when the opportunity arrives to attend to it. 

Keturah Hatch, who married in 1702, Thomas Briggs, w.is the 
Gr Gr Grandmother of Joanna. She was the daughter of Thomas 
Hatch, who married Sarah EUms of Scituate in 1662. She had four 
brothers and six sisters^Thomas, Rhodolphus, Joseph, Sarah, Lydia, 
Hannah, Mary, Margaret, Abigail and Jeremiah. Thomas, the father, 
died in 1686. He was the son of Thomas Hatch, the emigrant, who 
settled in Scituate. The Transcript of October 19, 1903, said that 
this earlier Thomas and William Hatch were brothers, and were 
reported to have been the sons of Sir Walter Hatch, who suffered 
the loss of title and estate because of adherence to Puritan princi- 
ples. Thomas Hatch, the emigrant, had children, William, Thomas, 
Hannah and Alice. He died early, probably about 1646. 

Deane's History of Scituate gives me no account of the Hatch 
family. Name of wife not known. 

Mary, the wife of Benjamin Crane, not known. 

Bethia Edson, who married Ezra Deane December 17, 1678, was 
the daughter of Deacon Samuel and Susannah (Orcutt) Edson. She 
was the youngest child, born 1653, and had four sisters and three 
brothers — ^Susannah, Sarah, Elizabeth, Samuel, Mary, Joseph and Jo- 
siah. Samuel Edson came in 1634; was in Salem 1638; Bridgewater 
1650; Freeman 1639. On forming the Town of Bridgewater he and 
Jos. Keith were the only men in the town called Master. Deacon 
1664 till death. Built the first mill in Bridgewater. Was member of 
the War Council of the Colony 1666 to 1678. Representative thirteen 
years and held many other offices of trust. See Plymouth Colony 
Records, Vols. 3, 4, 5, 6. He died July 9, 1692, aged 81 years. 

Of Hopestill Leonard, who married Benjamin Allen in 1695, there 
is no further record. The Leonards were a prominent family in 
Taunton and some day we will have the record. Some years ago 
there was quite an excitement aroused over a Leonard estate in 
England which carried a title, but nothing came of it because of 
the indifference of some most intimately concerned, these men 
seemingly preferring the independence and honor earned by their 
own ability in America to inherited honors in England. 

Mary Parker married James Whitcomb of Scituate. I have no 
other record of this lady. Some 2:eriealogist to whom I wrote regard- 
ing her gave me a line which he said he obtained by the process of 
elimination. He assumed first that she belonged to the Scituate Park- 
ers, and cutting off those who could not possibly have been her par- 
ents, narrowed the choice down to, as he said, our family. Dean's 
History of Scituate gave the children of this family and no Mary 



appears in the list, so we will not attempt to give her ancestry. 

The wife of Anthony Coombs I have already told you cannot 
be found. 

Deborah Balch, who married William Raymond February 8, 1710- 
11, was born June 6, 1693, the daughter of the third marriage of Ben- 
jamin Balch, to Grace Mallett; Benjamin married first Sarah Gard- 
ner about 1650, and married second Widow Abigail Clark February 
5, 1689, and third Grace Mallett March 15, 1691-2; this last marriage 
ceremony was performed by Simeon Bradstreet, the Governor. She 
had seven brothers and four sisters — Samuel, Benjamin, John, Joseph, 
Freeborn, Sarah, Abigail, Ruth, Jonathan, David and Lydia. Benja- 
min Balch was the oldest child of John Balch and his wife, Margary; 
the other children of this family were John and Freeborn. 

John Balch, born 1577, came from Somersetshire to America 
with Capt. Robert Gorges, 1623; settled at Salem; one of the original 
members of first church; Freeman 1631; granted farm of 200 acres 
at the head of Bass River 1635-6; moved to the farm 1638 and lived 
there till his death 1648. He had a second wife, Agnes Patch, who 
survived him, dying in 1657, after a long illness. 

No knowledge of the Deborah who married William Chapman, 
the Gr Gr Gr Grandmother of Joanna Briggs. 

Sarah Ellms was the oldest child of Rhodolphus and Cathrine 
(Whitcomb) Ellms, born September 29, 1645; the other children were 
Mary, Joanna, Hannah. John, Joseph, Waitstill, Jonathan and Rho- 
dolphus. Sarah married 1662 Thomas Hatch. Rhodolphus Ellms 
came in the planter 1635, aged 15 years. Was one of the Connl- 
hassett partners 1646. He was son of that widow. Sarah Ellms, 
of Parish St. Saviors, Southwark County, Surrey, Eng., and by her 
will received a legacy of 10 pounds. The family live in Scituate. 

Mary Cudworth, who married Robert Whitcomb. was the oldest 
daughter of Gen. James Cudworth, born July 23, 1637. The other 
children were James, Jonathan, Israel, Joanna, Hannah, Jonathan 
and probably others. James Cudworth held the highest political 
and military honors of any man in the family. In a literary way a 
letter of his protesting against the action of the Justice of Plymouth 
Colony in persecuting the Quakers seem to Steadman and Hutchin- 
son worthy of preservation as a sample of the best composition and 
thought of the time. You will find this letter in Vol. 1, Library of 
American Literature. 

James Cudworth came to America probably on the Charles, 1632. 
He held all the ordinary offices and was Captain of his militia com- 
pany and Justice on the Bench with Thomas Prince (the Governor), 
Mr. Collins. Capt. Willett, Capt. Winslow, and Mr. John Alden, when 
trouble came. He could not agree with his associates in restrict- 
ing religious liberty and was disgraced as far as in their power he 
could be disgraced. He was thrown from the bench and stripped of 
his military honors. He went to his farm in Scituate and remained 
there in practical obscurity for twenty years. Windsor in his history 
says: "There were a few of the prominent men of the time who dared 
to protest boldly against the unwise action of the Magistrates and 



of such none were more prominent than James Cudworth of Ply- 
mouth Colony and Robert Pike of Salisbury." Palfrey's History of 
New England, Vol. 3, Page 98, says in regard to his restoration that 
Winslow was a man of less rigid temperament than his predecessors. 
By his influence James Cudworth, whose tenderness for the Quak- 
ers had cost him his high standing in the Colony, was restored to 
a place among the Magistrates. He was a popular man in those 
days and honors were continually being thrust upon him. He was 
made assistant to the Governor 1674; Commander of Plymouth Col- 
ony forces in King Philip's war, with the rank of General, 1675; Sub- 
Commissioner for Plymouth Colony 1678-9; Commissioner 1681; Dep- 
puty Governor 1681, ?nd died while on a mission to England for the 
Colony in 1681. In the mean time he refused some other very flat- 
tering offers of political and military preferment. He was a man we 
can respect all the time. For twenty years he gave up all hope of 
preferment because of a principle; for twenty years of the best of 
his life he remained a practical outcast on his farm in Scituate. He 
had ability, but not the ability to stem the tide of ignorance, in- 
tolerance and persecution which swept over New England at that 
time. His influence must have been felt and he was not forgotten 
when Winslow and more humane counsels prevailed. Thank God 
for men like James Cudworth that Plymouth Colony has no such 
dark page in her annals as >ou will find in the records of Massachu- 
setts Bay Colony. No men or women were burned or hung or drowned 
in Plymouth Colony because of witchcraft or any other form of 
madness. Savage, in a note, says James Cudworth married a daugh- 
ter of Rev. Dr. Stoughton of England. 

Mary Kettle, who married William Raymond about 1687, was 
born March 5. 1660, the fourth child of John and Elizabeth (Allen) 
Kettle, who lived in Gloucester and Salem. The other children were 
John, William, Elizabeth, Samuel and James. John Kettle came in 
conflict with the authorities on sundry occasions and the record 
reads that he was "a rather wild lad." A reputation for wildness 
could be easily acquired in those days and far be it from me to criti- 
cise an ancestor because some magistrate fined him for Sabbath 
breaking in 1641. 

The Register for January. 1898, has a short account of one John 
who spent the last years of his life in Salem, dying there Octobsr 
12, 1685, owning 300 acres of land near Nashua. A John Kettle 
served in King Philip's war. 

Of Grace Mallett I have no further record. 

Cathrine Whitcomb, who married Rhodolphus EUms, was the 
Gt. Gt. Gt. Gt. Grandmother of Joanna Briggs, a daughter of John 
Whitcomb, the emigrant, and sister of Robert Whitcomb, who mar- 
ried Mary Cudworth. This is the first time in this family that I 
find a marriage of cousins in any degree. Rhoda Whitcomb was 
the Gr Gr Gr grandchild and Ephraim Briggs the Gr. Gr. Gr. Gr. 
grandchild of John Whitcomb, so they were fourth or fifth cousins. 

Hannah Bishop, born April 12, 1646, who married William Ray- 
mond about 1665-6, has an interesting story. She was the second 



child of Edward and Hannah Bishop. She lived with her parents in 
Salem during the time of the Witchcraft delusion. She had two 
brothers, Samuel and Edward, and one sister, Mary. Her mother 
died after 1651 and her father married again Bridget Oliver in 1680. 
Bridget was charged with practicing witchcraft and was imprisoned 
but in some way escaped further punishment at that time, but in 
April, 1692, both Edward and Bridget were apprehended and in June. 
1692, she was hanged. Edward's property was seized at this time 
but Edward was spared and as the old record says, "after being 
redeemed he went to Rehobeth, where no witches were thought of." 
Edward married for a third wife Sarah Wild. 

Elizabeth Allen, born September, 1634, third child of William 
and Elizabeth (Bradley) Allen, had brothers and sisters. Persis, 
Samuel, Deborah, Bethia, Omsiphorous, William and Jonathan. Wil- 
liam came to Cape Ann, now Gloucester, for and with the Merchants 
Company in 1624, carrying on the fishing business for about three 
years. He lived in Salem till 1640. He was a carpenter and built the 
first frame house in Salem, where he resided. Influential and enter- 
prising, he died May 10, 1678. His will may be found First book 
Essex Probate Records, page 72. 




yl^liU^liL^liL^liyj|^U^I^I^y^l^^liyjliyj|^iJ^I^|t^ 



"The Person Who Is Not Loyal to the Memory of His 
Ancestors Deserves Himself to Be Forgotten" 



OFFICIAL MINUTES OF THE 

FIFTH REUNION 

of the 

BRIGGS ASSOCIATION 
OF AMERICA 

HELD AT BARNARD, VT. 
August 10 and 11, 1920 




President 
Vice President 
Secretary 
Treasurer 
Historian 



OFFICERS, 1921 

Geo. W. Briggs, Lebanon, N. H. 

Jessie C. Tinkham, Rochester, Vt. 

Seth Dean, Glenwood, la. 

Arthur Waite, Decatur, 111. 

R. L. Richmond, Rutland, Vt. 



cs^7/ 



GIFT 

ASSOCIATIAJ* 

MAR 24 »27 



OFFICIAL MINUTES OF THE 

FIFTH REUNION OF THE BRIGGS ASSOCI- 
ATION 

Held at Barnard, Vt., August 10 and 11, 1920 



The fifth reunion of the Briggs Association in America met at 
Silver Lake Inn in Barnard, Vermont, on Tuesday, August 10, 1920, on 
call of the president, the following parties being in attendance, viz: 

Seth Dean, Glenwood, Iowa 

Mrs. Annah E. Dean, Glenwood, Iowa 

Harvey Dean, Pacific Junction, Iowa 

Arthur Wait, Decatur, Illinois 

Mrs. Arthur Wait, Decatur, 111. 

Mrs. Jessie (Briggs) Tinkham, Rochester, Vermont 

Paul C. Tinkham, Rochester, Vermont 

Jennie M. Cadwell, Rochester, Vermont 

Mrs. Julia A. Pierce, Rochester, Vermont 

Mrs. Ellen L. Pierce, Rochester, Vermont 

Mrs. George C. Aikens, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 

R. L. Richmond, Rochester, Vermont 

Mrs. Grace E. Richmond, Rochester, Vermont 

Mrs. Dena R. Remington, Rochester, Vermont 

Chester H. Remington, Rochester, Vermont 

Mrs. Julia Briggs Curtiss, Newark, New Jersey 

The President and Vice President both being absent, the meeting 
was called to order by the Secretary. On motion duly seconded, R. L. 
Richmond was unanimously elected President Pro Tem, and at once 
took the chair and presided. 

CORRESPONDENCE 

The Secretary then read his report as follows, viz: 
To Members of the Briggs Association— Greeting: 

Soon after the close of the fourth reunion held in Rochester, Vt., 
in 1916. I had the proceedings of the meeting, together with those of 
the second and third reunions that had not been gotten out, printed 
and distributed so that members of the Association might have a rec- 
ord of all meetings held. 

Under our by-laws a reunion was due to be held in 1918 but at 
this time the World War was in progress and the energies of all our 
members then being used to help the government win out, it was de- 
cided by letter ballot taken of the members that it was unwise to hold 
a meeting at that time and the directors accordingly postponed the 
meeting till a more auspicious time. The successful ending of the 
war has removed the excuse for longer delay and the executive com- 
mittee decided that the best interests of the Association required hold- 
ing a reunion this year and a letter ballot sent to the members result- 



mentoes that have belonged to our ancestors and that there is danger 
of their being lost or passing out of the family, which we would much 
regret, to provide against this possibility the Mesdames Pierce having 
offered the use of a section in the Pierce memorial building at Roches- 
ter, Vt., where such articles as may be contributed or loaned to the 
Association may be kept, subject at all times to the control and dis- 
position of the executive committee of the Briggs Association, there- 
fore, to carry out the object and purpose of this undertaking. 

Be it Resolved, that the offer of the Mesdames Pierce be and is 
hereby accepted and the secretary is instructed to inform the mem- 
bership of this action. 

The committee on Necrology at this time made report, which on 
motion was approved and ordered of record. 

The committee on nominations reported the following names for 
officers of the Association for the next biennial period, viz: 
For President, George W. Briggs of Lebanon, N. H. 
For Vice President, Jessie C. Tinkham of Rochester, Vt. 
For Secretary, Seth Dean of Glenwood, la. 
For Treasurer, Arthur Wait of Decatur, 111. 
For Historian, R. L. Richmond of Rutland, Vt. 

On motion the report was received and the rules then being sus- 
pended the parties were unanimously elected by acclamation. 

Nothing further of a business nature appearing, the meeting ad- 
journed sine die. 

SETH DEAN, Secretary. 

NECROLOGY 



MARY AMELIA BRIGGS, daughter of Elijah and Helen (Brownell) 
Briggs, died at Rochester, Vt., December 18, 1918. She was born 
at Attica, Ind., March 16, 1844, the eldest of three sisters. Soon 
after the death of her father in 1853 the family removed to Nor- 
walk, Ohio, where the mother died in 1862. With her two orphaned 
sisters left in her care she engaged in teaching in the public 
schools of the place, following this occupation for several years; 
later she became a stenographer, but health failing, she was forced 
to give up her position in Denver, Colo., and return to the east, 
living for a time in the family of her uncle, Alexander Briggs, and 
later with Mrs. P. C. Tinkham at Rochester, Vt., where she took 
an active part in Christian work and other activities of the place. 
She was a member of the Universalist church and other civic 
bodies of Rochester. 

JENNIE (STIVER) BRIGGS. daughter of William and Margaret Stiv- 
er, died at Omaha, Neb., September 6, 1919. She was born at 
Stuebenville, O., June 11, 1843, and married to Benjamin W. Briggs 
at Springfield, 111., June 4, 1867. With her husband she lived suc- 
cessively at Bloomipgton, Springfield and Pekin, 111., moving to Ne- 
braska in 1875, and to their permanent home in Omaha in Octo- 
ber, 1883. She was in poor health for some years prior to her 
death, and is buried beside her two children who had gone before, 



in the German M. E. cemetery, South Bend precinct, Cass County, 
Neb. 

IDA J. BRIGGS, daughter of Daniel C. and Briggs, died at 

Glenwood, la., November 10, 1917. She was born near Glenwood, 
la., June 22, 1859, living with her parents on a farm until 1900, 
when she came to Glenwood, la. She was educated in the public 
schools of her neighborhood and in Tabor College. She was a 
member of the Congregational church at Glenwood and active 
in the work of the church and Sabbath school. She was never 
married. 

DR. HERSCHEL NAPOLEON WAIT, son of Daniel and Aliphal 
(Briggs) Wait, died at Johnson, Vt., March 9, 1917. He was born 
at Stowe, Vt., February 13, 1850, and married February 18, 1879, 
at Stowe, Vt., to Adelaide M. Benson. After graduating from a 
medical course he settled permanently at Johnson, Vt., and en- 
tered into active practice, in which he was very successful. He 
was a member of several medical societies in Vermont and other 
states and an honored member of the Masonic fraternity and Sons 
of the American Revolution. He had been in poor health for some 
time before his death. 

LIZZIE BRIGGS LYMAN, daughter of George and Minerva (Briggs) 
Lyman, died at White River Junction, Vt., February 8, 1920. She 
was born at Norwich, Vt., April 25, 1846. She had been in poor 
health for many years but courage and a strong will power sus- 
tained her; she led a modest, useful and beautiful Christian life. 

SUSAN JANE JONES, daughter of Daniel B. and Aliphal Waite, died 
at Barre, Vt., September 23, 1920. She was born at Stowe, Vt., 
April 8, 1836, the second in a family of eight children. She was 
married to John K. Jones at Stony Point, Vt., July 2, 1855. She 
led an active life, having been successfully engaged in the millin- 
ery business in Barre for a number of years. She was the mother 
of three children, none of whom survive her. Her husband died 
November 12, 1882. She was a charter member of the Barre 
chapter, Order of the Eastern Star, and a valued member of the 
Universalist church. Mrs. Jones had been in poor health for sev- 
eral years, but not confined to her home. In May of the present 
year she met with an accident that completely disabled and con- 
fined her to her room. Death came peacefully and as a tired child 
she went to sleep, to awaken on the farther shore of Death's 
River. 

Notes of Genealogical Line of Descent from Clement 
Briggs, an Immigrant, Through Eight Generations. 



As secretary of the Briggs Association I have on numerous oc- 
casions had inquires from descendants of Briggs ancestors for gene- 
alogical information of their ancestors, sometimes to trace family re- 
lationship, sometimes the information sought is to enable the appli- 
cant to qualify for membership in the Sons or Daughters of the Revo- 



5b27— DEBORAH. Born February 10, 1745. Married Hatch. 

Died Marcli 23, 1777. 

5b28— RELIANCE. Born May 23, 1747. Died April 26, 1774. 

5b29 — DESIRE. Born January 25, 1750. 

5b30— AMITTAI. Born June 13, 1753. 

5b31— EUNICE. Born January 28, 1756. Died June 24, 1757. 
SIXTH GENERATION 
Elijah Briggs (5b21); wife, Jemima; residence, Berkeley. 

6b32 — EPHRAIM. Born June 30, 1756, at Taunton, Mass. Married 
Rhoda Whitcomb March 19, 1780, at Barnard, Vt. Died Au- 
gust 10, 1829, at Barnard, Vt. Massachusetts Revolutionary 
War Records say Ephraim Briggs enlisted May 2, 1775, pri- 
vate in Capt. Oliver Soper's company, Col. Timothy Walker's 
regiment from Taunton; served 3 months and 6 days and 
served second in Capt. Joshua Wilbore's company. Col. John 
Hathaway's regiment, service in Rhode Island. Third, April, 
1777, served in Capt. Ebenezer Dean's company, Col. Thps. 
Carpenter's regiment. 

War 1812 Vermont Records show that Capt. Ephraim 
Briggs served in Col. J. William's regiment on detached ser- 
vice from December, 1812, to May, 1814. probably in the Platts- 
burg, N. Y., campaign. 

6b33 — SYLVIA. Born December 19, 1758. Married David Allen of 
Woodstock, Vt. 

6b34 — ELIPHAL. Born July 28, 1767. Married Uriah Carpenter of Ash- 
ford, Conn. 

SEVENTH GENERATION 
Ephraim Briggs (6b32); wife, Rhoda; residence, Barnard, Vt. 

7b35 — BENJAMIN. Born July 6, 1780, at Barnard. Vt. Married Susan- 
nah Crowell November 30, 1809, at Barnard. Removed from 
Barnard, Vt., to Norwich, Huron county, O., May, 1836. Died 
August 31, 1842, at Norwich, Huron County, O. 

7b36— EPHRAIM DEAN. Born December 21, 1782, at Barnard. Vt. 
Married Eliza Hodgkins October 4, 1810, at Rochester. Died 
July 27, 1868, at Rochester, Vt. 

7b37 — ASA BARNARD. Born January 18, 1785, at Barnard, Vt. Mar- 
ried Jane Winslow September 2, 1809, at Barnard, Vt. Re- 
moved to Pierpont, N. Y., February, 1820. Died September 5, 
1863, at Pierpont, N. Y. Was a private in Capt. Phelp's com- 
pany, Col. J. Williams regiment, Vermont militia, War 1812. 

7b38 — JOANNA. Born March 13, 1787, at Barnard, Vt. Married Maj. 
Lemuel Richmond February 24, 1805, at Barnard. Died Octo- 
ber 16, 1867, at Barnard, Vt. 

7b39 — RHODA. Born November 17, 1793, at Barnard, Vt. Married 
John Caryl at Barnard, Vt. Died April 23, 1817, at Stock- 
bridge, Vt. 

EIGHTH GENERATION 
Benjamin Briggs (7b35) ; wife, Susannah; residence, Barnard, Vt. 



8b40— ELIJAH. Born September 24, 1810, at Barnard, Yt. Married 
Helen M. Brownell October 1, 1839; died December 15, 1862. 
Died January 31, 1853, at Attica, Ind. 

8b41 — ALIPHAL. Born October 9, 1812, at Barnard, Vt. Married Dan- 
iel Wait. Jr.. January 16, 1833. Died June 16, 1888, at Stowe, 
Vt. 

8b42— BENJAMIN CROWELL. Born January 11, 1815, at Barnard, 
Vt. Moved to Norwich, O., May, 1836, and to Seneca, Kan., 
October, 1873. Married Clarissa Brown November 9, 1838. 
Died March 12, 1895, at Topeka, Kan. 

8b43— ALEXANDER. Born February 5, 1818, at Barnard, Vt. Re- 
moved to Norwich, O., May, 1836, later to Rochester, Vt. Mar- 
ried first Rosella M. Doten November 3, 1846; died February 
3, 1848. Married second Phebe A. Curtis November 15, 1853, 
at Ithica, N. Y. Died April 5, 1908, at Rochester, Yt. 

8b44— SUSAN. Born April 11, 1822, at Barnard, Vt. Married William 
E. Dean August 15, 1849, at Norwich, O. Died March 31, 1872, 
in Lyons Township, Mills County, Iowa. 

8b45— ELIZA JANE. Born October 2, 1828, at Barnard, Vt. Married 
William E. Dean November 4, 1875, at Norwich, O. Died De- 
cember 26, 1892, in Lyons Township, Mills County, Iowa. 



g.fEjitiJ^^|ti^l^*l^j|^^i|i^l*i^tyjli y .i|iU¥ i^J | *^^^^ 



"The Person Who Is Not Loyal to the Memory of His 
Ancestors Deserves Himself to Be Forgotten" 



OFFICIAL MINUTES OF THE 

SIXTH REUNION 

of the 

BRIGGS ASSOCIATION 
OF AMERICA 



HELD AT ROCHESTER, VT. 
August 8, 9, 10, 1922 




President 
Vice President 
Secretary 
Treasurer 
Historian 



OFFICERS, 1923 

Geo. W. Briggs, Lebanon, N. H. 

Jessie C. Tinkhani, Rochester, Vt. 

Seth Dean, Glenwood, Iowa 

Arthur Wait, Decatur, 111. 

R. L. Richmond, Rutland, Vt. 



'The Person Who Is Not Loyal to the Memory of His 
Ancestors Deserves Himself to Be Forgotten" 



OFFICIAL MINUTES OF THE 

SIXTH REUNION 

of the 

BRIGGS ASSOCIATION 
OF AMERICA 

HELD AT ROCHESTER, VT. 
August 8, 9, 10, 1922 




OFFICERS, 1923 

President - - Geo. W. Briggs, Lebanon, N. H. 

Vice President - Jessie C. Tinkham, Rochester, Vt. 

Secretary - - - Seth Dean, Glenwood, Iowa 

Treasurer - - - Arthur Wait, Decatur, 111. 

Historian - - R. L. Richmond, Rutland, Vt. 







THE GREAT CLIFF OF MOUNT HORRID 



GIFT ^ 

ASSOCIATION 

MAR 24 .,_ 



OFFICIAL MINUTES OF THE 

SIXTH BIENNIAL REUNION 

Held at Rochester, Vermont, August 8, 9, 10, 1922 



The following members of the Briggs Association met in the sixth 
biennial reunion in the Pierce Hall at Rochester, Vermont, on Tues- 
day, August 8, 1922, and were called to order at 2 p. m. by Geo. W. 
Briggs of Lebanon, N. H., president, in the chair, the following being 
in attendance, viz: 

Jessie C Tinkham of Rochester, Vt. Vice President 

Seth Dean of Glenwood, la. Secretary 

Arthur Wait of Decatur, 111. Treasurer 

R. L. Richmond of Rutland, Vt. Historian 

Grace E. Richmond Rutland, Vt. 

Theodore R. Remington Rutland, Vt. 

Dena R. Remington Rutland, Vt. 

Julia Briggs Curtiss Newark, N. J. 

Mabel J. Curtiss Newark, N. J. 

William A. Wait Decatur, 111. 

Mrs. Arthur Wait Decatur, 111. 

Erma A. Wait Decatur, 111. 

Franklin A. Wait Decatur, 111. 

Margaret C. Wait Decatur, III. 

Hattie E. Wait Barre, VL 

Grace M. Wait Barre, Vt. 

Harvey Dean Pacific Junction, la. 

Benj. B. Dean Glenwood, la. 

Mary W. Dean Glenwood, la. 

Florence Dean Glenwood, la. 

Clara Dean Glenwood, la. 

A. E. Dean Glenwood, la. 

Sadie Dean Glenwood, la. 

Annah E. Dean Glenwood, la. 

P. C. Tinkham Rochester, Vt. 

W. N. Remington Rutland, Vt. ■ 

Mary J. Aiken Philadelphia, Pa. 

Ellen L. Pierce Rochester, Vt. 

Julia A. Pierce Rochester, Vt. 

Caroline W. Berry Rochester, Vt. 

Elizabeth Berry Rochester, Vt. 

Richmond Aiken Berry Rochester, Vt. 

Miss Theodore Connard Decatur, 111. (Visitor) 

Rev. C. C Connor, pastor of the Congregational church of Roches- 
ter, in fitting words, then invoked the Divine blessing on the meeting, 
after which all joined in the National song, "America" 

The president then in well chosen words stated the purposes of 



the meeting and the ideals for which the Association is formed and 
for which it stands. 

Letters from absent members expressing regrets that they could 
not attend and wishing success on the meeting were read by the Secre- 
tary. 

The minutes of the last meeting were on call of a member read 
and on motion approved. 

The Secretary then read his paper, showing four deaths. 



SECRETARY'S REPORT 

To members of the Briggs Association in America: 

Greeting: The Secretary has little of especial interest to report 
of business that has passed through the office since our last meeting. 
Soon after our adjournment I published and mailed to the members 
a report of our proceedings, including therein some genealogical notes 
of our ancestry. From replies received I conclude that this feature 
proved satisfactory and in the event that a complete genealogical rec- 
ord is not published in the near future, possibly might be continued 
with profit to the association in general. The increase in membership 
has not been rapid, possibly largely the fault of the Secretary in not 
advertising the merits of the organization more extensively at and 
since our last meeting. At present our membership is confined to 
thirteen states and the District of Columbia. 

Since our last meeting we have lost four members by death, viz: 

Mary Loveland Briggs At Tampa, Fla., June 30, 1921 

Rhoda Briggs Burt At East Pierpont, N. Y., August 11. 1921 

Jennie Briggs Packard At Bloomington, 111., April 11, 1922 

Mary Augusta Perkins At Barnard, Vt., January 2, 1922 

The last three especially will be missed from our reunions as 
they were loyal members who rarerly failed to attend. I suggest that 
the usual Committee on Necrology be appointed to report suitable 
resolutions of remembrance of these, with other deceased members 
if any are known, since the fifth reunion. 

The only expense incurred by me is an item of $35.00 for print- 
ing the proceedings and about $5.00 for postage and stationery. The 
printing bill was paid by an order on the Treasurer. There are no 
outstanding bills or unpaid claims against the Association that I am 
aware of. 

No general program has been prepared for this reunion and the 
proceedings will be very largely informal, wherein it is expected that 
every one will feel free to take part, socially and intellectually, and 
help make the sessions interesting and pleasant for all. 

Respectfully submitted, 

SETH DEAN, Secretary. 
Rochester, Vt., August 8, 1922. 

The Treasurer then read his report showing the expense for the 
last biennial period to have been $40.00. 

The reports were then on motion approved, and as there was a 
small defiicit in the treasury it was moved, seconded and passed that 



an assessment of $1.00 per member be levied to meet current expenses. 

On motion the President then appointed the following committees, 
viz: On Necrology— Arthur Wait, J(!ssie Tinkham, Seth Dean; on 
Nominations — Paul Tinkham, R. L. Richmond, B. B. Dean; on Reso- 
lutions — A. E. Dean, Mrs. Hattie Wait, Mary J. Aiken 

The following names were then presented for membership in the 
Association, viz: Alvin E. Dean of Glenwood, la.; Sadie Dean of Glen- 
wood, Ta. ; Florence Dean of Council Bluffs, la.; Bessie Dean of Coun- 
cil Bluffs, la.; Clara Dean of Glenwood, la.; Mrs. Kate K. Briggs of 
Washington, D. C, all of whom were on motion elected to member- 
ship. 

The remainder of this session wes devoted to recounting the per- 
sonal experience of members, and detailing incidents of adventures 
of our ancestors, pioneers in both Massachusetts and Vermont, as well 
as in states farther west, after which the Association adjourned to 
meet at 8 p. m. at the residence of the Messrs. Pierce. 



EVENING SESSION 

The members of the Association met in an informal session at 
8 p. m. at the Pierce residence and spent the evening in social visit. 
Adjourned to 2 p. m. August 9. 



AUGUST 9, 1922 



An excursion to the top of Mt. Cushman having been arranged 
for, a goodly number of the visiting members took the opportunity to 
make the trip. All who did so expressed themselves as well paid for 
the effort. 

The Association was called to order by the President at 2 p. m. 
in the Pierce Hall. 

The Committee on Necrology now made report, which on motion 
was approved and ordered of re(-ord. 

The Committee on Nominations then reported the following 
names, viz: 

For President Geo. W. Briggs of Lebanon, N. H. 

For Vice President Jessie C. Tinkham of Rochester, Vt. 

For Secretary Seth Dean of Glenwood, la. 

For Treasurer Arthur Wait of Decatur, 111. 

For Historian R. L. Richmond of Rutland, Vt. 

No other nominations appearing, the rules were suspended and 
the above list elected by acclamation. 

The Committee on Resolutions then made the following report, 
viz: 

Whereas, The members of the Briggs Association have been in 
their biennial session at Rochester, Vt., on August 8 and 9, 1922, and 
the success of the meeting has in very great measure been due to the 
resident members and interested citizens of Rochester, therefore, 



Be it Resolved, That the thanks of the Briggs Association be ex- 
tended to the Mesdames Pierce tor the use of their Memorial Hall 
for our sessions; to Rev. ard Mrs. Connor for their presence with us, 
and to citizens of Rochester for favors shown, all of which have helped 
make the Sixth Reunion a success. 

On motion the resolution was adopted, after which the meeting 
adjourned sine die. 

SETH DEAN, Secretary 



NECROLOGY 



MARY LOVELAND BRIGGS, daughter of Austin and Nancy (Lock- 
wood) Loveland, died at Tampa, Pla., June 30, 1921. She was born 
in Perkins Township, Erie county, Ohio, April 23, 1840, and was 
married to Ephraim Briggs October 8, 1865. They made their 
home on a farm in Norwich Township, Huron county, Ohio, un- 
til 1873, when with her husband they removed to a farm near 
Seneca, Kansas, living there some years, afterward removing to 
Topeka, Kan., and in the fall of 1920 to Tampa Pla. She had 
been in poor health for several months prior to her death. 

RHODA SOPHIA BRIGGS BURT, daughter and eldest of two children 
of Asa W. and Matilda (Willson) Briggs, died at Potsdam, N. Y., 
August 11, 1921, of paralysis. She was born at Bast Pierpont (now 
Hannawa Falls), N. Y., October 7, 1840, and was married to Wil- 
liam Burt February 10, 1875, residing on a farm that has been 
the home of the Briggs family for near one hundred years. 

SOPHRONIA JANE BRIGGS PACKARD, only daughter of Flavius 
Josephus and Sophronia (Willson) Briggs, died at Bloomington, 
111., of chronic bronchitis April 11, 1922. She was born at East 
Pierpont, N. Y., August 3, 1837, and was married to Thaddeus 
Bullock Packard September 23, 1860, at Bloomington, 111., where 
they resided until the death of her husband August 27, 1910, after 
which time failing health compelled her to spend the winter sea- 
sons in the south. 

MARY AUGUSTA PERKINS, daughter of Daniel and Rboda (Rich- 
mond) Aiken, died at Barnard, Vt., January 2, 1922. She was born 
at Barnard Vt., May 27, 1844, being one of four children. She was 
married August 9, 1869, to Harry H. Perkins of Barnard, Vt., 
where the family have resided most of the time during the inter- 
vening years. 



i 



"The Person Who Is Not Loyal to the Memory of His 
Ancestors, Deserves Himself to Be Forgotten." 



OFFICIAL MINUTES OF THE 



SEVENTH REUNION 



OF THE 

BRIGGS ASSOCIATION 
OF AMERICA 

HELD AT GLENWOOD. lA. 
Sept. 9, 10, 11, 1924 




OFFICERS, 1925-26 

President . - - - Geo. W. Briggs, Lebanon, N. H. 
Vice Pi*esident - - Winfield S. Briggs, Omaha, Nebr. 
Secretary - - - Henry H. Dean, Glenwood, Iowa. 

Treasurer Arthur Wait, Decatur, 111. 

Historian - - - - R. L. Richmond, Rutland, Vt. 



i 



^ 



'mmmmmmmwmmm^ mmwmrmmmwmmmmm\ 



"The Person W;ho Is Not Loyal to the Memory of His 
Ancestors, Deserves Himself to Be Forgotten." 



OFFICIAL MINUTES OF THE 



SEVENTH REUNION 



OF THE 

BRIGGS ASSOCIATION 
OF AMERICA 

HELD AT GLENWOOD, lA. 
Sept. 9, 10, 11, 1924 




OFFICERS, 1925-26 



President - - . - Geo. W. Brings, Lebanon, N. H. 
Vice President - - Winfield S. Briggs, Omaha, Nebr. 
Secretary . . - Henry H. Dean, Glenwood, Iowa. 

Treasurer Arthur Wait, Decatur, 111. 

Historian - - - . R, L. Richmond, Rutland, Vt. 




GIFT 

AS?.OCIATION 

MAR 24 ijY 



OFFICIAL MINUTES OF THE 

SEVENTH BIENNIAL REUNION 

Held at Glenwood, Iowa, September 9, 10, 11, 1924 



The iBrig'g'S Association met in (regular isessiion in the parlor of 
the First Baptist church of Glenwood on Tuesday miornimg, Septem- 
iber 9, 1924 on call of the secretary. The president being aibsent, the 
Vice President, Mrs. J. C. Tinkham presided. The folloiwJng named 
parties being in attendance: 

Winifield S. Briggs j Omaha, Nebr. 

Mrs. W. S. Briggs Omaha, Nebr. 

Stanley H. Briggs ,—-( j........^... Omaha, Nebr. 

Mrs. C. L, Briggs , Omaha, Nebr. 

Miss Winifred Briggs v. Omaha, Nebr. 

Harvey Diean Pacific Junction, Iowa. 

Benj. B. Dean ,...(. Glenwood, Iowa. 

Mrs. IMiairy W. Dean Glenwood, Iowa. 

A. E. Dean ^ ., Glenwood, Iowa. 

Mrs. Sadie Dean j. Glenwood, Iowa. 

Mrs. Nellie P. Self Fremont, Nebr. 

W!m. L. Dean ....i. j Plainview, Nebr. 

Mrs. Jesisie C. Tinkhaim , Rochester, Vt. 

Mrs. Julia A. Pierce Rochester, Vt. 

Mrs. Ellen L. Pierce Rochester, Vt. 

iMirs. Carolyn B. Field 4—, ,. St. Louis, Mo. 

iMrs. Hattie E. Waite Barre, Vt. 

Seth Dean Glenwood, Iowa. 

Mrs. Anna E. Dean Glenwood, Iowa. 

Mrs. IMary P. Dean with daughter, Betty Glenwood, Iowa. 

Miss Bessie Dean Glenwood, Iowa. 

Miss; Florence Dean ^ Council Bluffs, Iowa. 

Wendell E. Lambert j.... Glenwood, Iowa. 

Mirs. Lucile Lambert Glenwood, Iowa. 

Ray M, Wiles Plattsmouth, Nebr. 

Mrs. Edith Wiles Plattsmouth, Nebr. 

Rev. and Mrs. Wm. L. Schotemaker, Glenwood, Iowa, by invitation. 
Miss Helen Greenlee, stenogiraipher, Gilenwood, Iowa. 

Invocation by iRev. Schoemaker was followed by the song of 
"America," in fwhich all present took part. 

An address of welcomie to Glenwood, for our visiting members 
by B. B. Dean, was responded to in fitting words by the president, 
Mrs. Tinkham. 

The matter of correspondence was then taken up and letters 
from quite a number of absent miemibers regretting their inability 
to attend and evincing their continued interest in the aisisociation 
were then read by the secretary. 

Adjournment was then had foir dinner which was well served by 
the (ladies of the Glenwo/od Baptist church, and in which all present 
took part. 



The memlbers were called to order by the president at 2:C0 p. m. 
The report of the secretary was then read. 



REPORT OF SECRETARY 

To the Executive Cam'mittee and Memibers 
of the Briggs Asisociation in America. 

'Greeting: I nuake the following report of the business that "has 
'beem handled through this offiae since the meeting in 1922. 

As soon as the notes of the sdxth reunion had been put in shape 
for publication I conbi-'acted with the publisiheo- of the iM'ills County 
Tribune for 300 copies, the work was done to my satisfaotion and 
in good time and copies mailed to all miemibers. The cost of this 
work was $35.00 which was paid by the treasurer on an order from 
me. 

I iregret to state that the increase in imiemlbership has not been 
great dufring the season just past, mainlly I pnesuime from a lack of 
energy on the ;part of the isecretary in not carrying on a more vig- 
orous campaign for memibers. 

I have had considerable conrespondence with miembers as well 
ais other Briggs parties, soime inquiring aibout ibecoiming memibers, 
but imiore generally asking for genealogical lineage to enable the 
party to secure membership in soime of the revolutionary societies. 
In several of these cases I was able to furnish from lour records 
the infoirmation sought. 

It is gener'ally hnovra by members that Mir. Charles H. Briggs 
of Miinneajpolis has been engag-ed for several years in securing notes 
for and preparing to publish a Briggs book giving as far as pos- 
sible the genealogical line of descent of all parties named Briggs 
resliding in America, togethefr with inter anarriage for one or pos- 
sibly two generationis. This iwill certainlly be a worth while work. A 
letter I will read at this meeting gives the present status of the 
work and an estimate of the cast of editing and typewriting the 
notesi. I believe lit would be worth while fotr the association to as- 
sume the expense he estimates in getting the matter in typewrit- 
ten form, a copy to be furnished the secretary of the association for 
informiation of the members, pending publication of the work. 

The expense of the office has been: 

For pirintiing proceedings $35.00 

Expended for postage and stationery 5.00 

Printing program 5.00 

Total ...- , $45.00 

Received from treasurer $35.00 

Balance due secretary 10.00 

Total , $45.00 

Respeotfully submitted, 

SETH DEAN, 
J i , , Secretary. 



The report of the treasurer was then read by the secretary, Mr. 
Wait being absent. 

To the Members of the Brig-gs Association: 
Greeting : 

I herewith submit the treasurer's reiport covering the last two 
year period: 

August 8, 1922 overdraft $12.16 

August 8, 1922 dues collected 34.00 

Balance on hand August 8, 1922 , 21.84 

To pninting and mailing report of last meetifng March 3, 1923 30.99 
Overdraft _ 9.15 

Respectfully submitted, 

ARTHUR WAIT. 

On mioti'on the reports of the secretary and treasurer were a,p- 
proved and ordered put on record. 

The historian R. L. Richmond being absent no report was had 
on Briggs Genealogy. 

At this time a letter from Chas. H. Briggs of Minneapolis, 
Minn., who has been engaged for some years in collecting hisitorical 
and genealogical miatter for a Briggs book was read; this showed 
that much work had been done Ibut that considerable time and 
editorial work was yet required to put it in proper form for publish- 
ing and that it was uncertain when the book would appear. 

The president at this time appointed the following committees, 
viz: On Necrology — Carolyn B. Field. On Nominations — Harvey 
Dean, Anna E. Dean, Mary W. Dean. On Resolutions — Julia A. 
Pierce, Ellen >£ L. Pierce. 

After which adjournment was had to 7 p. m. to permit an auto 
drive to the Dean farm in Lyons township. Quite a number making 
the trip. Most of the Omaha miemibers took the train for their homes. 



SEPTEMBER 9, EVENING SESSION ; 

This was a social get together of the memjbers and their friends 
at the residence of Seth Dean. The evening wias pleasantly passed 
in games and reminiscences of the olden time. At this time Seth 
Dean read a paper entitled "Woman Pioneering." 



WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10 MORNING SESSION 

;Was called to order by the vice president. At this time, the fol- 
ilowiing named parties having applied for membership and being 
eligible were on motion, duly seconded foiinally elected viz: Wini- 
field S. Briggs, Omaha, Nebr.; Mrs. W. S. Briggs, Omaha, Nebr.; 
Wlm. L. Dean, Plain view, Nebr.; Ray M. Wiles, Plattsmouth, Nebr., 
Mrs. Edith Wiles, Plattsmouth, Nebr.; Mrs. Nellie P. Self, Fre- 
mont, Nebr.; Wendell E. Lambert, Glenwood, Iowa; Mrs. Lucile 
Lambert, Glenwood, Iowa; Mrs. Grace Keebauugh, St. Louis, Mo.: 
Fred P. Stone, Barre. Vt. 



the nominating committee then made its report recoml-nending 
the election of the following parties as officers I'or 1925-26, viz: 

For President Geo. W. Briggs of Lehanon, N. H. 

For Vice President Winifield S. Briggs, of Onuaha, Nebr. 

For Secretary Henry H. Dean of Glenwood, Iowa. 

For Treasurer Arthur Wait of Decatur, 111. 

For Hi'Storiian R. L. Richmond of Rutland, Vt. 

There being no other nominations proposed, the report was ac- 
cepted, and on motion the -rules for a formal ballot suspended and 
the aiboive nanned parties were elected by acclamation. The comimattee 
on necrology at this time 'made report as follows, viz: 

To the Menubens of the Briggs Association : 

Your committee find the following named m-embers have passed 
away since our last reunion, viz: 
Mrs. Grace Richmond, wife of R. L. Richmond 
Dr. Edward F. Jones of Indianapolisi, Ind. 
Carl W. Jones, of Woolcott, Vt. 

We recGimmend that appropriate mention ibe made of each in 
the published proceedings of this aS'Sociatiom. 

CAROLYN B. FIELD, 
HATTIE E. WAITE, 

Committee. 

An adjournment of further busliness for the day was now made 
to take part in a picnic dinner prepared iby the Glenwood lady mem- 
bers, in which event all present did ample justice. 

After the dinner program, an auto drive to Coumcil Bluffs was 
arranged to attend the theatre then showing scenes in the life of 
Abraham Lincoln. This completed the work of the day. 



THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11 MORNING SESSION 

The members at this time accepted an invitation from Dt. 
iMogridge, the superintendent to visit the institution for the oare 
and training of feeble minded children of the State of Iowa located 
at Glenwiood. Here the forenoon was pleasantly and profitably spent 
in inspiecting the methods used in school work, as well as the plans 
amd methods adopted by the state board and the superintendent to 
maintam proper sanitation and health conditions for about sixteen 
hundred of thesle unfortunates. On return to the hall, the comimjittee 
on resolutions made its report as follows, viz: 

Your Committee Call Attention 
to the disinterested efforts of the various commidttees. The citizens 
and newspapers of the towoi and the many friends who have united 
their efforts to make this reunion of the Briggs Association hoth a 
succesia and a pleasant memiory to all who have attended its ses:sions. 
THEREFORE: 

BE- IT RESOLVED by the Bi'iggs Association now in session, 
that we fully appreciate the kindness of the officers of the First 
Baptist church of Glenwood for the use of the church parlors for our 



meeting, and to the pastor, Dr. Wm. L. Schoemaker and his wife 
for their presence with us, and to the ladies of the receptioin com- 
mittee for tlie entertainment prepared by them. 

To the GlenWood Opinion and Mills County Tribune for val- 
uable mention of this meeting, and to Dir. Mogridge and his able 
assistants for the privilage of a worth while and insitructive visit to 
the state institution, and that the thanks of the Briggs Association 
is hereby extended to each and all for these courtesiies. 

B. B. DEAN, 
ELLEN L. PIERCE, 
JULIA A. PIERCE, 

Commiittee. 

On motion duly s.econded the report was accepted by a un- 
animous vote. 

This concluding the matters of business, the mi&eting adjourned 
sine die. 

JESSIE C. TINKHAM, 

Vice President. 
SETH DEAN, 

Secretary. 



NECROLOGY 

GRACE ELVA (Eaton) RIOHMOiND was 'born November 6, 1862 
in Springfield, Vt. The daughter of Calvin M. Eaton and Cynthia 
(ClhilS'On) Eaton, both parental lines running back througth 
early Mlassiachusetts history, to England the ancestral borne of 
the families. Of he/r childhood and school life yve know but 
little. Her education being probably confined to the scho'ols of 
ber native town. She Was married to Roillin L. Richmond at 
(Sprinigfield, VermioTit, January 10, 1883. T.hey soon after settled 
in a permanent hoime in Rutland where her husband engaged in 
busineiSB. Their home was an ideal one, the social welcome 
accarded to their ifriends and neighbors at all times was 
proverbial and from these she is greatly mlissed. She was a 
imemiber of St. Paul's Universalist church of Rutland and took 
an active part in church and Sabhath iSchool work, holding 
many positions of trust and honor herein. She was also active 
in social welfare and fraternal work in the city and hield at 
times the highest offices in the Rebekah Chapter, serving as 
president of the General Assembly in 1912. She was also an 
honored .member of the Order of the Eastern Star, filling the 
loffice of Matron and later as District Deputy Grand Matron. 
In all these offices she served faithfully and well and by her 
gracious manner, sincere 'purpose and wise admiinistration en- 
deared herself to all who knew her. She was the motherr of two 
children, a son, Carlton Eaton, who died at seven years of age, 
and a daughter Dena, now iM'rs. Chester Remington, of Rutland. 
She died November 8, 1923 and is buried in the family lot at 
the Springfield, Vermont cemieteiry. 
Of the following parties I have but little inf ormiaticyn : 

DR. EDWARD F. JONES, the second son of Truman Jones and 
Angeline (Wlait) Jones was born at Wlolcott, Vt., February 13, 
1862. He marrlied Ella May Turner at Wapello, HI., June 21, 
1883. After oompileting a coumse in medicine he establisihed a 
ipraetice in Iindianapolis, Ind. His death occurred at 

CARL WAIT JONES, the fourth son of Truman Jones and An- 
geline (Wait) Jones was born at Wolcott, Vt., December 2, 1874. 
(He married Sarah Premian at 'Wolcott, Vt., in 1902. He died at 

OBITUARY 
Benjamin Willson Briggs 

Benjamin Willson Brigigs was bom at E'asjt Pderpont (now 
Hanawa Falls, N. Y.) Septemlber 11, 1842. 

Son of Asa W. and Amelia iM. (Willson) Briggs. He entered th6 
U. S. Initemal Revenue iServlice at Bloomington, 111., in 1863, later 
serving in Springfield, and at Pekin, 111., till March 1875 when he 
resiigned, moving to a farm in Cass County, Nebraska, where be 
lived for some years. Leaving the farm in 1882 he was for a time 
emiployed by the C. B. & Q. R. R., leaving this to accept a place 
with the C. St. P. M. and O. R. R. in 1883; serving as its Omaha 



agenit and later com.bininig with the C. & N. W. R. R. for twenty- 
six years, retiring January 1, 1913. 

iHe was married to Miss Jennie Stiver June 4, 1867 at Spring- 
field, 111. 

'Two sons and two daugihters hlessed the union but one son, 
Benj. S. is now living, a resiident of Omiaha. His wife, Jennie died 
September 6, 1919. 

Benjamin W. Briggs wais a miember of the Briggs Aissiociat:on 
land served as its president in 1917 and 1918. He was an enthus'jastic 
genealogist and spent much .time and labor in corresipondence and 
secuired a great deal of informiation concerning the Briggs family 
in America and comipiled a recoad of the family of Oapt. Ephraim 
Brigigs and his descendants wihich is quite coimplete. He passed away 
on December 19, 1924 at the residence of his son, Benjamin S. 
Briggs in Omaha, Nebr., from a paralytic sihock. 

Interment is in the family lot in the German Methodist cemeterv 
in South Bend Precinct, Cass County, Nebraska, where the wife and 
two children are buried. 



WOMAN PIONEERING 

Some account of a Briggs Pioneer, a tribute of love by Beth Dean. 

Throughout the history of settleiment iand deveilopme<nt of our 
country members of the Briggs family have ever been among the 
pioneers and in recording events in the life of one a similar record 
might be written of scores of others both men and women. 

The subject of this sketch was Susan Brings, bonn o'n a farm in 
Barnard township (called in New England towns,) Windsor County, 
Vermont, April 11, 1822. 

Her father Benjamin Briggs being a lineal descendant in the 
seventh generation from the immigrant, Clemient Briggs who came 
in the ship Fortune (froim Southward) England, and landed at Ply- 
mouth, Masis., in November, 1621. Her mother, Susannah Crowe'l 
was also descended from an old iMassachusetts family, her grand- 
father having settled on a farm in Barnard in the closing years of 
the Revolutionary war, both parents 'of Susan having been "Barnard 
bom." 

We know but little of her girlhood days. She attended the pub- 
lic schools and imastered the various branches of leairning taught 
therein at that time, later supplemfenting this with home st.ud'es. 
This qualified her for a teacher in the public schools, a profession 
she followed for so-me years, with marked succesis. 

A part of home education of the time, consideired necessary for 
women to master, was the art of spinning flax and wool and weav- 
ing cloth on the hand looms of the day, and then cut the cloth ard 
mlake the homiesipun dresses worn by the wo'men, as well as suiis 
for the male memibers of the family. 

Our heroine was an apt scholar and became quite proficient in 
this class of work an acoom'plishmient that in after years when a 
mother in her own log cabin in western Iowa she found it necessary 
to make uise of. And not one of her five sons but has worn clothing- 
woven and made into garments by her hands. 

As time passed, Vermont coane to be classed, as in fact it was 
an old settled state in 1830 and the third e-eneration of settleTs 
were mioving on into the western frontier territory. 



Prior to this time by an adjustment of claims by Connecticut 
against the federal government fcir losses of proiperty by her citi- 
zens during the War of 1812, a tract of land was given Oonnecticut 
in northern Ohio in settlement of her claim. These lands were called 
fire lands and the tract was known as the Conne'cticut Eeseiwe. 

Stories of the geneirally level chamcter, great fertility and 
cheap price of these lands 'brought an influx of settlers in a Sihort 
time 'of whom a lai'ge proportion were from New England* The 
Traveleirs Guide and Eimiigrant Directory through the states of 
Ohio, Illinois, Indiana and Michig''an, published in 1826 by Phelps 
and Squire of New York, furnishes among other anatter, the follow- 
ing information, "These four states hold out great inducements to 
emigrants, not only for the cheapness and fertility of the land, but 
for the salubrity of the clim'ats, and the easy means of getting a 
comlfortable subsistentie; tbie pubJic lands may be bought for $1.25 
per acre, omly for cash, and vast quantities of it are of the finest 
quality, many partially cultivated famiis imay be bought fnom $3 to 
§12 par acre, according to limipTOvemeints made, and the value of 
buildings on them." 

The samie authority gives the following as the price of passage 
along the principal route of travel to the west in that day, viz 

•For those who travel 



For those who travel in barges and 
in the steerage of Canal boats 
and find themselves 
From New York to Albany by steamboat 
From Albany to' Utica 
From Albany to Rochester 
Froan Albany to Buffalo 
From Albany to Cleveland 
From Albany to Siandusky 
From Albany to Chicago by railroad and 

Eagle line steam Buffalo and Chicago 13.50 26.00 

This morving spirit took hold lof Benjamin Briggs. He sold the 
Vermont farm and with his entire family (excepting thie two oldest) 
left the Green Mountain state in May, 1836, for Huron County, 
Ohio, where a brother-in-law had preceded him. 

In the sale of the Vermont farm, Benjamin Briggs from neces- 
sity disposed of most of his personal property. In preparing for his 
then long trip to the western frontier he found it necessary to limit 
the peraomal effects and merchandise to the smallest quantity pos- 
sible, depending on the natural resources of the new country and his 
own inventive genius to supply what was lacking in the new home. 
Considered in the light of modern methods and route of travel this 
trip was in many ways, notable — as the writer understands the 
route. The family crossed the mountain to Rutlandon and then to 
White Hall, in New York state. This portion of the journey was 
made by team, Mtr. Briggs old neighbors volunteering to carry the 
family that far. At this point they took a boat on the canal then 
connecting Lake Chemplain with Hudson river. At Albany our party 
transferred to the then newly compieted Erie Canal for Buffalo. 
Then by boat on the Great Lakes Huron and Erie to Sandusky, Ohio. 





in the steamboat 




and in the cabin 


and 


of the Canal boats 


ats 


and the found by 




the owners. 


$1.00 


$2.00 


1.63 


2.75 


4.00 


6.75 


5.50 


10.00 


8.00 


15.00 


8.50 


16.00 



A sister of Mrs. Briggs res.iding near N'orwalk then a hamlet only, 
provided a temporary resting place until Benjam^in and sons found a 
permanent home of their o'-w-n. This was secured by the purchase of 
two 100 acres lots of land in the Connecticuut reserve, this they at 
once took pos-session of, built a log h'ouse and began clearing the 
land which was then covered by a dense forest of heavy timber, 
oak and other kinds that bad ,to be remioved -befoire it cou'ld be put 
in cultivation, very little of the tioiuber when cut was made use of, 
further than to furnish a supply of split railis for fencing and for 
the first dwelllimgs. The silashings as the cut over lands were icalled, 
was then buirned over to get rid of the fallen tiimber and brush. 

In clearing the forest the men took the brunt of the work — but 
in planting and raising the crop the wfomen (took an active part also, 
at this time Susan was just past 14 yeaxs, of age. 

In 1842 when 18 years of age the des'ire to see the green hills 
of Vermont again, induced Susan to visit her eldest sisteir then re- 
siding at Sitowe. After &ome months, the call of the west came again 
to her and she returned to her fathers home in Ohio. Of the route 
s'he traveled on this occasion and the incidents that happened on the 
trip we have very scant kniowlledge. It is probable the lake steamer 
'and the Erie Cianal boat with the usual s'tage trip over the mountain 
from Rutland was taken. 

The years 1832 and 33 were rather exciting in a religious way 
being the advent of the Moxmon prophet Joseph Smith. Starting his 
eanijpaign for converts at Kirtland, Ohio, his aotivities took in Huron 
County and quite a following was secured among the othei-wise 
steady going families of that part of the state, several of the im- 
mediate neighbors, of the Briggs family, sold their lands and moved 
finslt to Nauvoo, III., the then promised Ziion. Hostilities between 
the civil authorities and the Mormon Hierardhy culminating in the 
murder oif Joseph Smith and his brother Hyram at the bands of a 
mob caused the Mormons to evacuate Nauvoo and commence their 
migration to their later home at Salt Lake, Utah. 

I make this digression from the main story as. it brings in and 
explains the presence of some old Ohio neighbors, at a later home 
■in Mills County, Iowa, where mutual confidence and experience, 
later helped to icoimbat homesickneiss and the lonely blue feelings 
that would come and were a part of the experience in making a 
home on the western border of civilization. 

It was in the spring or eariy summer of 1847 that an event 
came into the -Social life of the Briggs family, William E. Dean, a 
Barnard boy, born on a farm almost adjoining the Briggs farm ide- 
cided to visit the Briggs family. 

A mutual love came into Susan and William's lives and resulted 
in their marriage August 15, 1849. It is natural to believe that two 
as prudent parties as these made plans for home building before 
m/arriage. As neither had wealth and did not think of following an 
avocation but farming they looked for some place where land was 
cheap, where the soil and climate was giood and where the then 
blight of human slavery could not come. Even at this early day, 
some talk of a railroad from the settled eastern states across the 
plains and mountains to California was in the newspapers and was 
being discussed in a limited way in congress. Mr. Dean thought he 
could see the probability of the railroad being built, and a study of 
the geography of the plains showed the great Platte river for 600 



miiles weist an ideal condition (toward nail-road building. The Indian 
title -to all loiwa l-and having ^been extinguished in 1848 settlers 
could at that time select land, enter thereon and improve it with 
the assurance that when open for sale by -the -government they 
would have first chance to buy at a fixed, uniiformi price per acre, 
and the -Missouri river on which ste-amlboats were then m-aking 
.regular trips with -merchanidiise and o-th-er freig-ht from St. Lou-is to 
P'Oiinitis in the Indian country settled the question of location. The 
brid-al couple leaving the brother's home the evening after the 
weddiing oereim-ony was over, going by railroad to Cincinnati, then 
■by siteamiboat to Ft. I^ouis, changing there for a Missouri river boat 
that was bound for Kanesville, noiw Council Bluffs. Stf^aimtboating 
oin ithe Missouri river in those days was not wjithout thrillis. August 
and Septeimlber w-ere monthis when low water in the riveT always 
occurred, a;nd frequent changes -of channel, with sunken logsi and 
is-awyers, miade navigation so/mewhat un-certain, but no seriouis mis- 
hap occurred cm the trip and the couple left the boat at Civil Bend, 
a landing in Iowa near where Nebraska City is now located. Here 
the igrooim left his bride 'with friends they had met on the boat, 
whi'-e he went forth to seek a tem/porary home, until they should 
find what they wanited. The sieccnd days wandering broug-ht Mr. 
Dean to Cutlers €am;p, a Mormlon se-ttlenTent om Silver Creek about 
two miileis north of where -the to'wn of Malvern now appears. And 
at this villaa-e he found the Sheppardson family, old neighbors of 
the Briggs family in Ohio. This fortunate meeiting ended further 
search. 

A Moranon claim, with log houise and few acres of brokem land, 
was puTchas'ed and the wife broup-ht to commence housJekeeping, 
according to the usual method of that day. 

H'a,ving seilected a tract of lan-d at the base of the Miissouri river 
bluffs in what is now Lyons township. Mills county, for a permanent 
home, here a log bouse w-as bulilt, prairie siod broken and a home 
made lin the spring of 1850 that has been continuously in the Dean 
family for seven-ty-four years. 

_ At the time this house -was huilt but one other dwelling was 
visible. NotwithstandinT -the range of vision extended from one-half 
mile to ten miles in differcint directions. The nearest postoffice 
twenty miles. Letter postage was ten cents and was paid by the 
party rece-ivmg the letter. The time required to carry the letter 
froim Northern Ohio to Austin, -Mo., 'or Kanesville (now Council 
Blufis) the two nearest post offices in 1849 was from seven to ten 
days -and the nearest mill was about the same distance. 

What IS now the great state of Nebraska was then Indian 
territory and visits from members of the Pottawatta-mie, Pawnee 
and Otoe Indian tribes were frequent. These Indians were all 
triendly and seldom imade trouble hut all were great beggars and 
sometimes, thieves. iSusan soon learned enough Indian talk to tell 
the-m to Puc-'a-chee, after they had visited a sufficient length of 
time. - 

Thirteen aiiem-orable years passed hefore Susan visited her rela- 
tives who were still living in Ohio. During this period six sons were 
bom hut no daughters -blessed the home. 

Susan Briggs Dean, lived to see a good modern farm house take 
the place of the log cabin and the railroad , they had dreamed of, 
built across the continent, passing near their home and in time she 



mth her husband toolv the ttrain at a station a few males from, but 
in plain view of the d/vve'iling- and n-aveixng- by rail vnsitcd ber a ed 
mother, brothers and s;isters in Ohio, and the girlhood home in Ver 
mjont. 

Hier death occurred at her own home March 31, 1872. 

But why idiilate 'on the experiences of this home, the s'orv was 
nearly the isame in every family in 'western Iowa of pre-Civil war 
time, business was largely a sweippin'-'- cf r-rini'T.'.dities, the !'tt e 
money was carefully hoarded to pay Uncle Sam for the land, to 
pay taxes, and for certain articles (that only mioney wo'Uild buy. Chills 
and fever (or as'Le as it wa.s then caiiled,) Vvith the usral whofcip'ng' 
ooug'h, r^-ppo'cs. and ol'her 'ihi'''d d^'^^rss"^ ^ e"" ^-'-it-^c- in eve^ y 
home. If bitten by a rattle snake the patient usrjalily called far the 
bitters bottle, and it has been said that disease was no more fatal 
in those days than in the present ag'c. 



J J A S O N 






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